Despite being a known issue for years, garbage trucks keep going up in flames due to people improperly disposing of lithium-ion batteries. Back in late May, a garbage truck caught fire in Brooklyn, moderately injuring two Department of Sanitation workers, according to PIX11. A department spokesperson said a lithium-ion battery was the likely culprit, despite it being illegal to throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or recycling.
Per the National Fire Protection Association, New York City alone saw a total of 800 lithium-ion battery fires that resulted in 30 deaths and 400 injuries between 2022 and 2025. Throw one — or an old device that happens to contain one, such as a laptop, phone, or power tool — into a garbage truck that automatically crushes whatever is thrown into it, and you have a recipe for some very toxic, very rapid fires. This type of battery’s flammable nature is also why the TSA has restrictions when it comes to storing them in checked luggage.
Lithium-ion garbage truck fires have been an ongoing problem for sanitation departments, not just in NYC, but across the country for years. The City of Roseville near Sacramento, for example, recently saw its fourth garbage truck catch fire this year for this very reason, according to CBS News. The fire department in Troy, Michigan, meanwhile, recently responded to a garbage truck that had to dump its load onto the road after a pile of batteries inside started catching fire.
The Science and Solution
Without turning this into a full chemistry lecture: lithium-ion batteries catch fire when a short circuit occurs internally, often triggered by physical damage that breaks the separator keeping the battery’s anode and cathode apart. This creates instant heat, which can cause the electrolyte to chemically decompose, releasing flammable gases and possible ignition.
So if you shouldn’t throw lithium-ion batteries out in the trash, what should you do with them? The answer depends on your specific municipality, but in NYC at least, you should bring them to one of the thousands of dedicated drop-off sites. You can find a location near you using the Battery Network online locator tool. A quick look at Manhattan shows quite a few options, many located inside Staples stores and Duane Reade pharmacies. Batteries should be bagged — Battery Network can provide bags — or you can cover the positive terminals with tape.
Kind of a hassle? Sure. But if it saves even one local sanitation worker from serious injury, it’s probably worth it.
