Be smart about your garbage on the Fourth of July

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Fourth of July is quickly approaching and there are some things you should know to prevent fires. The Fourth poses significant safety problems for trash disposal.

A recent report from Waste Management (WM) states that more than 5,000 fires occur yearly at recycling facilities and in garbage dumps because of materials which include lithium-ion batteries that are either thrown away or placed in recycling bins.

“The most common causes for fires in garbage or recycling trucks and in our recycling facilities are hot barbecue coals and ashes; flammable items, such as pool chemicals and paint, lighter fluid and propane tanks; and lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries,” said Dawn McCormick, Director of Communications for Waste Management Inc. of Florida.

WM offers these safety tips:

• Do not place hot coals or ashes in the trash can.
• Cool coals on the grill or in a metal container full of water then seal it with a tight lid before disposing of it.
• Never place used coals in plastic, paper, or wood containers when throwing them away.
• Keep all flammable and hazardous materials out of your garbage can and recycling containers. This includes lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries, paint, chemical products, and things like fluorescent lights.
• Collect your used lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable batteries in plastic bags and take them to Home Depot and Lowe’s for recycling.