Battery fires surge at North American recycling facilities

Waste and recycling facilities in North America are experiencing a significant increase in fires caused by improperly discarded batteries. According to Fire Rover’s Fire Safety Report, July and August 2025 saw a record of more than 100 reported fires, a phenomenon referred to as the “summertime spike.”

High summer temperatures exacerbate the risk, as heat can cause damaged batteries to ignite more easily. Batteries often enter the waste stream unintentionally when they are embedded in everyday items like toys, earbuds, or cordless tools. Once in the system, these batteries can be damaged by compaction in garbage trucks, crushing in sorting equipment, or contact with other metals and batteries, leading to rapid fire spread.

In response, WM has updated its Recycle Right guide to explicitly state that no batteries should be placed in the recycling or trash. Experts emphasize the importance of using dedicated battery recycling programs to prevent these safety hazards.