York Region is reminding residents where to dispose hazardous waste after a automobile battery was found to have caused a fire at the Georgina Transfer Station.
The transfer station is one of several waste depots in York Region where residents can take garbage, recycling and other materials for disposal.
"Recently there was a fire at the Georgina Transfer Station. Luckily no one was hurt, but among the debris was a burnt car battery," the region said in a tweet. "Batteries are hazardous & should never be put in the garbage. Many places collect batteries for safe disposal & recycling."
Batteries can catch fire when they are compressed or crushed, which can happen in a waste collection truck or at a transfer station.
"Battery fires are dangerous and avoidable and happen more than you realize," York Region said online.
Batteries should be handled properly and not stored in direct sunlight or in hot vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries should not be piled together as they have the highest potential to ignite. Be sure to remove batteries from all electronics and devices before throwing them away, the region advises.
Batteries are hazardous waste and can be disposed of at the following locations:
- East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- Elgin Mills Community Environmental Centre
- Georgina Waste Transfer Station
- Markham Household Hazardous Waste Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre
You can also find more information about battery recycling and more drop-off locations near you online at Call2Recycle.
