Broken Arrow ratepayers could be on the hook for up to $450,000 if a single garbage truck burns because someone tossed a rechargeable battery in the trash.
That is the warning from Jerry Schuber, Broken Arrow's solid waste director, who said the city has seen about four truck fires in roughly two months. The most recent one happened on Oct. 29, according to KJRH.
Residents who want to dispose of old lithium and rechargeable batteries safely can drop them off for free at The Metropolitan Environmental Trust at 302 N. Elm Place in Broken Arrow. The facility is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to its website.
How the fires start
When a battery ends up in a garbage truck's compactor, the pressure can trigger what Schuber called thermal runaway. The battery explodes and ignites the trash inside the truck, endangering the driver and the vehicle, Schuber said.
The driver's only option at that point is to dump the burning load onto the street and call the fire department. If the driver doesn't catch the fire quickly, the truck's hydraulic oil can ignite and destroy the vehicle, according to Schuber.
"These trucks are anywhere from $380,000 to $450,000 which is paid for by the ratepayer. So, that's a direct hit to the ratepayer," Schuber said.
A record battery haul
The city also collects batteries at its spring and fall Trash Bash events. At the most recent fall event earlier in October, residents dropped off a record 2,380 pounds of household batteries, according to KJRH. That was nearly double the amount from previous events.
Schuber urged residents to keep every battery out of the waste stream. He said there is no reason not to drop them off at The MET, adding that doing so could save a truck and protect a driver's life.
Until residents can reach a recycling center, the city recommends placing each battery in its own plastic bag and storing it somewhere cool and dry. If a battery swells, smokes or overheats, do not try to put it out. Move away and call 911.
