Lanchester Landfill staff have observed a significant increase in fire and smoke incidents occurring during waste processing. These incidents typically arise when truck loads are dumped and trash is compacted for safe landfilling. Lithium rechargeable batteries, in particular, are creating severe safety challenges as they can ignite and cause rapidly spreading, intense fires.

Officials remind the public that rechargeable batteries must not be disposed of in regular trash or recycling bins. Instead, these batteries should be treated as household hazardous waste. Residents are urged to take their rechargeable batteries to designated Household Hazardous Waste events or safe drop-off collection sites to ensure proper disposal and protect our community and landfill operations.