Here’s Why There Has Been a Surge in Maine Trash Fires

Did you hear that there has been an increase in curb side trash fires in Maine?

Well, according to Portland Pres Herald the state has been seeing a growing problem with trash and recycling fires and dived into why this is happening.

The culprit? Batteries! Lithium-ion to be exact and they are being tossed in the trash with other devices that are highly flammable and very tough to extinguish once they do catch on fire. 

As per the report, since 2023 recycling facilities in Maine have reported dozens of fires, and even some landfill fires that have taken multiple days to put out.

Lewiston Firefighters responded to a fire at Casella Waste Systems in 2023 that may have been caused by batteries.  

Lithium Batteries Blamed for Rising Trash Fires in Maine

To try to stop this problem, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is now suggesting a new law that would require battery manufactures to fund free recycling programs throughout the state.

This would cover single-use batteries, lithium-ion cells, and even batteries inside certain devices, as per the report. 

The article explains, 

"At least 820,000 pounds of batteries are tossed out each year in Maine, according to state data. The batteries take up Maine’s limited landfill space, the department said, and are causing a surge in trash truck, recycling center and landfill fires."

Maine does already recycle car and rechargable batteries, but the new plan would give broader coverage and help to keep hazardous batteries out of landfills to prevent fires. 

Hopefully it will be passed to help keep these fires from starting in the first place.  

Read More: Fish Bones Grill Lewiston Maine, New Owners, Same Heart

Here’s what you can do to help..

You can safely recycle batteries at approved drop-off points and encouraging friends and neighbors to do the same!