A fire believed to be caused by a lithium-ion battery burns in a trailer at Valley Waste Resource Management in Kentville last year. A fire early Thursday also believed to have been caused by one of the batteries caused significant damage at Valley Waste’s other transfer station in Annapolis County. File photoArticle contentGarbage and recycling collection in Annapolis County has been thrown into a bit of a mess after a fire overnight Wednesday at the Valley Waste Resource Management site in Clarence East. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentLawrencetown firefighters were called to the site on Elliott Road at about 1:30 a.m., and they found a significant fire burning and called for help from other departments in Kings and Annapolis counties. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentValley Waste spokesperson Nyla Frank-Rodgers said the organization is still trying to figure out what exactly happened, “but we do suspect it was a lithium-ion battery.” Article contentThose rechargeable batteries, used in cell phones, power tools, game systems, e-bikes and much more, are supposed to be disposed of separately at hazardous waste drop-off sites, but many people throw them in the garbage. Article contentWhen garbage trucks get to waste management centres, they dump the collected garbage on the floor, where it is then pushed by heavy machinery into piles or into transport trucks to be shipped to landfills.Article contentBatteries improperly put in the garbage are sometimes run over and damaged by the heavy machinery. When that happens, they can go into what is called a thermal runaway: a chemical reaction that causes them to start to burn with great intensity that can resemble a blow torch at times and cause a fire to grow very quickly. Article contentThere have been several suspected cases like that at Valley Waste’s two transfer stations recently. If confirmed, this would be the ninth such fire in under three years. Article contentArticle contentLast year, a fire broke out in a truck being loaded at the Kentville site that was believed to have been caused by a battery. Article contentFrank-Rodgers said no equipment like loaders or trucks was believed to have been involved, but one wall was significantly damaged. Article contentThe fire has closed the centre for now, meaning garbage, recyclables and compost collected in Annapolis County will be taken to the facility in Kings County. That will slow down curbside pickup significantly. Business and personal drop-offs at the site are also closed. Article content“There are going to be definite delays,” Frank-Rodgers said Thursday morning. “People don’t realize how long it takes to drive across the two counties. It’s a big area we cover.” Article contentIt will likely also result in some longer waits for businesses and individuals dropping off material on their own in Kentville. Article contentFrank-Rodgers said how long the Annapolis County site is closed is still undetermined. Article content“Without an inspection yet, we don’t know the rough timeline of when it will reopen,” she said.Article contentUpdates will be available by calling the two centres or checking their accounts on social media. Article content
Suspected lithium-ion battery fire disrupts garbage collection in Annapolis County
