Lithium-ion batteries suspected cause of fire at Rumpke recycling plant

ELMWOOD PLACE, Ohio (WXIX) - Several fire departments responded to a fire at Rumpke’s recycling facility for businesses early Tuesday.

Besides Elmwood Place, fire crews from Lockland, Reading, Wyoming, St. Bernard and Woodlawn all were called to the Vine Street building in Elmwood Place around 7:30 a.m., according to Rumpke’s spokeswoman Molly Yeager.

All five employees who were working at the time were safely evacuated, she said.

Vine Street was shut down for more than an hour before reopening around 9 a.m.

Flames broke out in Rumpke's recycling facility for businesses on Vine Street in Elmwood Place... — Flames broke out in Rumpke's recycling facility for businesses on Vine Street in Elmwood Place Tuesday morning.(FOX19 NOW)

The fire was knocked down by 8 a.m., but crews were still extinguishing hot spots.

The cause remains under investigation.

Yeager said lithium-ion batteries are suspected because those are usually the culprits in fires at Rumpke’s facilities, including its main recycling plant on Vine Street in St. Bernard.

Lithium-ion batteries are suspected to be the cause of this early morning fire at Rumpke's... — Lithium-ion batteries are suspected to be the cause of this early morning fire at Rumpke's recycling plant on Vine Street in Elmwood Place, a company spokeswoman says.(FOX19 NOW)

No batteries, period, and other flammable items are allowed to be recycled or thrown out, she said.

That especially goes for Lithium-ion batteries. They are found in many popular items such as cell phones, laptop computers and greeting cards - and hold a small residual charge.

That lingering energy is dangerous if the lithium-ion battery is damaged - such as being compacted in garbage trucks or by equipment at Rumpke’s plants, Yeager noted.

Lithium-ion batteries must always be safely recycled, she stressed, either by sending the battery back to the manufacturer or disposing of it at a designated drop-off location.

Rumpke’s best practices for battery disposal

Put old batteries in plastic bags or cover the ends of battery terminals with clear packing tape. This prevents lingering charges from releasing in the event of contact.
Locate your nearest disposal site or look for battery drop-off events in your community. Call2Recycle is another great resource that promotes battery recycling across the country, according to Rumpke.
If you can’t remove the battery from an old device, bring the entire device to a facility recommended by your local solid waste management district for it to be properly disassembled.
Check for battery returns. Some battery manufacturers accept returns via mail, but it’s important to follow postal shipping guidelines before putting old batteries in the mail.

When in doubt – Ask

Contact Rumpke Waste & Recycling by calling 1-800-828-8171 or reach out to them on their Facebook page.

LIST: Proper Waste Disposal of household hazardous waste, batteries, tires, needles, concrete, bricks, drywall, large and bulky items and Christmas trees.

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