Sharonville, Ohio's latest social media burst comes with a critical public service announcement: “Only you can prevent… trash fires.” This cautionary note is not a whimsical echo from Smokey Bear, but a serious warning from Rumpke Waste & Recycling addressing a recent surge in fires, attributed to the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. It's a trend that has not only jeopardized trash and recycling operations but poses significant danger to community health and safety.
According to the post by the City of Sharonville, the culprit behind most of these fire incidents is lithium-ion batteries that find their way into local trash and recycling bins. These batteries, prevalent in a plethora of everyday items - from smartphones to portable tools - are a fire hazard when punctured, crushed, or otherwise compromised. Often, people might not realize their everyday devices are ticking time bombs of the sort if disposed of incorrectly.
To counter the trend, Sharonville's post directs residents to appropriate disposal options, such as the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub and select Fire Stations. As a convenience, a list can be found on their website welcoming residents to recycle their batteries safely. They remind the community to double-check their waste, considering the ubiquity of lithium-ion batteries in an ever-growing inventory of household items, like remote-controlled cars, drones, and even greeting cards with sound.
