Batteries don’t belong in trash or curbside recycling containers

MEDIA RELEASE__Rumpke Waste & Recycling experienced a fire at its new $100 million recycling facility in Columbus, Ohio in July 2025, which was caused by a lithium-ion cell phone battery. The business provides trash and recycling services to Bluffton residents.

“Fortunately, we were able to address it quickly; the facility didn’t experience damage, and no one was injured,” said Jeff Synder, senior vice president, recycling and sustainability. “Situations like this put people—our workers and firefighters in harm’s way, which is the ultimate risk we take when we all toss these batteries into trash and recycling containers.”

Snyder added that this is far too common a scenario at all recycling facilities. “This is our ninth facility fire in July,” said Snyder. “Our Cincinnati recycling facility experienced two this month, and our Dayton facility also had an event. All were minor events in scope, and all were caused by a lithium-ion battery.”

Snyder stresses that batteries don’t belong in trash or recycling containers. “We know that residents make a curbside decision on their waste–but batteries don’t have a curbside solution,” added Snyder.

Many Staples, Batteries Plus and area hardware stores have collection programs to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries. You can also check your local solid waste district’s website to identify electronic drop-off locations.

To learn more about Rumpke, visit www.rumpke.com/