The Solid Waste Industry Can Tackle the Rise in Landfill Fires
by Richie Deason
Summer brings heat, dry conditions, and more activity across solid waste sites. Unfortunately, it also brings increased fire risk—especially from lithium-ion batteries showing up in everyday waste. As fires become more frequent and intense, operators need to be ready.
Below is an article to help landfill professionals reduce that risk with clear, field-tested strategies. Whether you're running a public landfill, private site, or municipal program, these insights are meant to support the critical work you do every day.
Fighting Fire with Foresight: The Growing Risk
Across the solid waste industry, the frequency and intensity of landfill fires are growing. And the root cause is increasingly familiar: lithium-ion batteries.
From e-bikes and earbuds to laptops and lawn equipment, rechargeable batteries are entering the waste stream more than ever. When damaged, punctured, or exposed to heat, they can ignite with little warning—producing intense flames that are difficult to extinguish. For landfill operators, these incidents carry high stakes:
Damage to infrastructure
Air quality concerns
Risk to personnel
Potential regulatory scrutiny
While none of this is new, it’s a problem worth revisiting. The industry’s safety—and public trust—depends on how well we respond.
Preventing the Problem: Keep Batteries Out of the Waste Stream
The best fire to fight is the one that never starts. Preventing battery disposal in municipal solid waste takes a layered approach:
Community Education
Most people don’t realize how dangerous it is to toss a rechargeable battery in the trash. Clear signage at convenience centers, direct mail reminders, social media campaigns, and school-based education can make a difference.
Take-Back Partnerships
Partnering with local retailers or e-waste recyclers to promote designated battery drop-offs makes it easier for residents to do the right thing.
Targeted Campaigns
Promote “Battery Amnesty” or “E-Waste Round-Up” days to safely collect batteries and electronics, especially after the holidays or back-to-school season when disposal spikes.
Field Screening and Load Inspections
Training collection drivers and landfill staff to spot battery-heavy loads (from cleanouts, demolitions, or commercial e-waste) can help divert them before they become a risk.
No single strategy will solve the issue, but every small step reduces the odds of a major incident.
Fighting Fires the Right Way
When a landfill fire does occur, time, training, and technique all matter. Here are a few widely accepted practices and reminders:
Know What You’re Dealing With
Fires involving lithium-ion batteries behave differently than typical trash fires. They can reignite hours after being extinguished and react violently to water.
Use the Right Suppression Methods
Do not use water directly on lithium battery fires. Instead:
Smother with dry sand or soil
Use Class D fire extinguishers or specialty agents like FireIce or F-500
Isolate the area to prevent spread and monitor closely for re-ignition
Coordinate with First Responders
Work with your local fire department ahead of time. Make sure they understand the site layout, access points, and any lithium-related risks. A pre-plan can save lives and limit damage.
Monitor and Detect Early
Drones and temperature sensors can help detect hot spots early. Routine patrols and gas monitoring data may also offer clues that something’s not right below the surface.
Don’t Forget the Long Game
In the aftermath of a fire, it’s essential to document the event, review response protocols, and adjust as needed. Prevention and preparedness go hand-in-hand.
Keeping Safety Front and Center
Landfill fires are more than operational disruptions—they’re community concerns. And while the root causes may be outside any one operator’s control, our preparedness isn’t.
It’s on all of us to keep batteries out of the waste stream and to be ready when things go wrong.
At ACC, we believe the more we share, the safer this industry becomes. If this article prompts one new safety training, one better sign, or one less battery in the trash—we consider that a win.