The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Solid Waste Division is reminding residents and businesses to properly dispose of lithium batteries after multiple battery-related fires were discovered in the Construction and Demolition (C&D) disposal area at the Central Landfill. Documentation of the incident shows severely damaged and burned battery components recovered from the waste stream, demonstrating the fire hazard posed by improperly discarded rechargeable batteries. Based on the available email records, the incident involved battery fires associated with discarded electronics.
The recovered materials, shown in the accompanying photographs, include heavily charred battery cells and electronic components that ignited after disposal. While landfill staff were able to identify and manage the fires before they spread, the incident highlights the growing risk lithium batteries pose to solid waste facilities nationwide.
“These batteries can still contain significant stored energy even when they appear dead or damaged,” said Jeff Smith, Solid Waste Division Manager. “When batteries are crushed, punctured, or damaged during disposal operations, they can ignite and quickly start fires that threaten employees, equipment, and landfill infrastructure.”
Why Lithium Batteries Are Dangerous
Lithium batteries are commonly found in:
When these batteries are placed in trash containers or mixed with other solid waste, handling and compaction equipment can damage the batteries and trigger thermal runaway—a rapid chemical reaction that can result in fire.
How Residents Can Help
The Solid Waste Division encourages residents to:
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