NYC garbage trucks face increasing fire risk from lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are causing an increasing number of fires in New York City garbage trucks, with 18 fires in the last year alone. The batteries are supposed to be disposed of alongside other hazardous materials, but many people are throwing them in household trash. City officials are concerned about the dangers to sanitation employees as these batteries proliferate in small electronic devices and e-bikes. A bill has been introduced to require the sanitation department to develop a plan for educating New Yorkers about the proper disposal of these batteries, including holding regular disposal events.