SARASOTA COUNTY – As the holidays bring new gifts and gadgets into our homes, residents are reminded that lithium-ion batteries — found in many popular devices — must be disposed of safely to prevent fires.
Lithium-ion batteries can be found in devices used on a daily basis, but can overheat, start a fire, and possibly explode when they are damaged or improperly disposed of and should not be placed in curbside trash or recycling carts.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in many everyday items, including:
Power banks and vape devices
Wireless mice and keyboards
Electric toothbrushes
Bathroom scales
LED flashlights
Light-up shoes
Toys with built-in rechargeable packs
Cordless tools and outdoor equipment
Electric vehicles
Residents are encouraged to dispose of lithium-ion batteries and battery-containing devices at:
Sarasota County Household Hazardous Waste facilities.
Participating retailers.
Important Tip: Tape the terminals of loose batteries to prevent short circuits before disposal.
Do not use devices with lithium-ion batteries that have an odor, odd noise, change in color or shape, are hot or leak and don’t place lithium-ion batteries in curbside trash or recycling carts. When crushed inside a collection vehicle’s compactor, they can release extreme heat and ignite surrounding waste. If damaged or exposed to saltwater, lithium-ion batteries, including those in electric vehicles, can create a chemical chain reaction that may result in fire or explosion.
Fires caused by these batteries are now one of the fastest-growing hazards in the solid waste industry nationwide, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America. Even after extinguishing a lithium-ion battery fire, there is a risk of reignition.
Proper disposal matters because many household items contain hidden or sealed rechargeable batteries. Even small batteries—like those in earbuds, greeting cards, and watches—can ignite under compaction. Collection vehicles exert crushing forces exceeding 2,000–3,000 psi, enough to breach battery casings and start fires.
Fires in trucks and waste facilities threaten the safety of drivers, collectors, residents, first responders and nearby structures. They often require emergency dumping of the load and fire department response. Once a battery ignites inside a compactor, suppression is difficult and dangerous, with temperatures reaching higher than 1,000 degrees.
By disposing of lithium-ion batteries properly, residents help protect solid waste workers, prevent costly fires, and keep Sarasota County safe.
