GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Kent County Department of Public Works says a small fire broke out at its Recycling & Education Center last Friday due to improperly discarded batteries.
It says quick action by staff ensured that no one was harmed and that the building sustained no damage.
The DPW says rechargeable, lithium-ion and button batteries pose a significant fire hazard if improperly discarded. It says you should tape the ends of the batteries and take them to one of the county's SafeChem locations for proper disposal. Batteries should never be placed in recycling bins.
The county issued some tips in a published newsletter:
To prevent fires like this from occurring at our facilities or in your home, it is crucial to follow proper battery disposal guidelines:
- Identify Your Battery Type – If you are unsure what kind of battery you have, please call or email the Department of Public Works (DPW) for assistance.
- Alkaline Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V) – Tape the ends and dispose of them in your regular trash. These batteries do not belong in the recycling bin.
- Rechargeable, Lithium-Ion, and Button Batteries – These batteries pose a significant fire hazard if improperly discarded. Tape the ends and take them to one of our five SafeChem locations for proper disposal.
If you have any questions about battery disposal, please contact DPW at (616) 632-7920 or recycle@kentcountymi.gov. Proper disposal keeps our community safe and helps protect our environment from potential hazards.
Photo: Photo from Kent County.
Photo: Photo from Kent County.