Published: 9 August 2024

BARTOW, Fla. (August 9, 2024) – The Polk County Department of Waste and Recycling hosted a lithium-ion fire and chlorine release drill at the North Central Landfill on Wednesday. The four-hour drill, funded by the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, prepared personnel to effectively and safely handle a lithium-ion battery-related emergency at the landfill.

“Lithium-ion batteries are all around us,” said Dale Henderson, director of the county’s waste and recycling department. “They’re in our laptops, phones, toys, the list goes on. They shouldn’t end up in landfills, but they often do, either because residents don’t know they’re throwing the batteries in the trash or because they think they’re not doing any harm.”

Lithium-ion batteries can easily overheat, rupture and catch fire, releasing toxic gases and creating a dire situation in the landfill.

The exercise was conducted by emergency trainers and consultants. Participants included the Polk County Fire Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Department of Emergency Management, Broward County Landfill, Lakeland Electric, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Forest Service.

In 2024, there were four lithium-ion fires at the North Central Landfill, so ideally lithium-ion batteries don’t end up in the landfill. To that end, Polk County residents can drop off used lithium-ion batteries at the county’s Household Hazardous Waste facility. For location and hours, visit www.polkwastewise.net. You can also visit www.call2recycle.org to find battery recycling collection points near you.

“We brought these community partners together to review our current policies and identify needs related to lithium-ion batteries,” Henderson said. “That way, if the worst happens, we’ll be prepared to work together. The landfill is a unique, ever-changing landscape, and it takes a prepared group of professionals to keep it safe.”