NEW battery safety video: Don’t let your batteries start a fire!

Posted on:
August 18, 2026

Batteries are part of everyday life. We use them in everything from toys and watches to power banks and greeting cards. But when batteries are thrown in the garbage or recycling, they can create a serious fire risk.

Our Solid Waste Educator has created a new video to help residents understand how to safely store and dispose of household batteries.

Why can’t batteries go in the garbage or recycling?

Many batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can catch fire if they are crushed, punctured or damaged.

When batteries are placed in curbside garbage or recycling, they can be crushed during collection or while materials are being handled at waste management facilities. A damaged battery can spark a fire, putting collection workers, staff, equipment and facilities at risk.

The safest option is simple: never place batteries in your household garbage or recycling.

Proper battery recycling helps prevent fires and keeps hazardous materials out of the waste stream. It also allows valuable materials, including metals used in battery manufacturing, to be recovered and used again.

How to store batteries safely

Until you are ready to recycle your batteries, collect them in a glass or plastic container and store them in a cool, dry, dark place.

Avoid using metal containers. If battery terminals come into contact with metal or other batteries, they can short circuit and create heat.

Before recycling, it is also important to protect the terminals on certain batteries, particularly:

• Lithium batteries
• Small sealed lead-acid batteries
• Coin cell batteries
• Alkaline batteries that are 9 volts or larger

You can protect the terminals by placing tape over them, while leaving the battery chemistry label visible, or by placing each battery in its own sealed plastic bag.

Batteries may be hiding in unexpected places

Not all batteries are easy to spot. Take a look around your home you may find batteries in:

• Musical greeting cards
• Toys
• Vape devices
• Portable phone chargers or power banks
• Watches
• And many other everyday items

If an item contains a battery, it should not automatically go in your garbage or recycling. Check how it should be safely disposed of.

Where can I take household batteries?

In Victoria County, household batteries can be dropped off free of charge for proper and safe recycling at either of our Enviro-Depots in New Haven or Baddeck.

Make battery recycling part of your regular routine. Consider bringing your collected batteries to an Enviro-Depot every three months.

Watch the video

Watch our new Battery Safety: Don’t Let Your Batteries Start a Fire! video to learn how to identify, store and safely recycle household batteries.

It’s a small step that can help protect your home, collection workers, waste management staff and facilities and our community.

Don’t trash your batteries. Recycle them safely.