Waste authorities warn of rising lithium-ion battery fires

Waste management authorities in Wake County, US, and Malta are issuing warnings regarding the rising frequency of fires caused by the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries in household waste streams.

In Wake County, officials are preparing residents for a statewide ban on lithium-ion batteries in household waste effective December 1. The county has experienced at least one fire at its solid waste facilities every three months over the past year. A fire at the North Wake Household Hazardous Waste facility in January 2025 resulted in an estimated $1.55 million in damages and forced a reduction in collection hours due to permit restrictions.

In Malta, WasteServ and the Civil Protection Department have launched the ‘Be Smart. No Spark’ campaign to combat monthly battery-related fires at waste facilities. Officials warned that batteries in items such as wireless headphones, electric toothbrushes, and vapes can be punctured or crushed during collection, causing rapid-onset fires that threaten employees and emergency responders. Both regions are urging citizens to use dedicated hazardous waste collection points rather than standard recycling or trash bins.