A Fire Broke Out in Kent County After Someone Tossed This in the Recycling

Recycling is one of the easiest ways you can help the environment. Here in Grand Rapids, it’s especially easy to do thanks to our city’s free recycling pickup service.

And while it may be tempting to try to sneak a few things into your recycling bin in hopes you won’t have to pay as much for your trash, it turns out that what you put in that blue bin with the yellow top really does matter. Recently, the Kent County Recycling Center experienced a fire all because someone put something they weren’t supposed to in their recycling.

BELOW: 11 Items that are illegal to throw away in Michigan ⬇️

An unknown resident threw a lithium ion battery into their recycling, and it caused a small fire at their facility. Fortunately, quick action by one of their staff members prevented it from getting out of hand. It's still a scary reminder that one small mistake in our home trash could have major consequences.

Even if a battery is “dead,” that doesn’t mean it’s out of fuel that could spark a fire. That’s why they must never go in your recycling bin, or even your normal everyday trash.

The recycling center posted this video to social media to warn residents why we shouldn’t do this:

Instead, all rechargeable, lithium-ion, and button batteries need to be properly disposed of at one of Kent County’s five SafeChem drop-off locations. It may add an extra step to your garbage day, but in the end, it keeps workers safe and prevents dangerous fires like the one that happened above.

If you’re unsure about how to dispose of a battery and you live in Kent County, you can contact the Kent County Department of Public Works for guidance. They’re more than happy to help make sure your recycling efforts are both effective and safe. Recycling is important, but doing it correctly is even more crucial. So, double-check before you toss something in your bin since one wrong move could put your neighbors and our facilities at risk.