A fire broke out at a battery recycling plant in southern France, housing 900 tonnes of lithium batteries, sending thick black smoke into the sky. While the fire is under control, it is expected to last for several hours. Lithium batteries, vital in electrical devices, contain combustible materials and can emit toxic fumes when burning. Authorities have stated that there is no immediate danger to nearby residents, but the potential release of cadmium through fumes is a concern.
A major fire broke out at a battery recycling plant in southern France, with 900 tonnes of lithium batteries on fire, sending a thick black smoke cloud into the sky. Lithium batteries, vital in electrical devices, contain combustible materials and can emit toxic fumes when burning. Firefighters are battling to control the fire, but authorities have stated that there is no immediate danger to nearby residents. The fire is expected to last for several hours, and the site's security note warns of potential emission of cadmium through fumes, although it is not expected to pose an immediate health risk to residents.
A lightning strike caused a massive gas explosion at a recycling plant in Oxfordshire, resulting in a bright flash and power outages in nearby areas. The plant is working with emergency services to secure the site.
Recycling plants face challenges in processing single-stream recyclables due to contamination and the decrease in demand for recyclables. At a recycling plant in Los Angeles, items are sorted through a series of conveyor belts and robotic arms to remove contaminants and separate different materials. Plastic bags are particularly problematic due to their tendency to wrap around machinery. Despite efforts, only about a quarter of the material that enters the facility can be recycled. The recycling industry emphasizes the need to reduce plastic production and increase recyclability to address the growing plastic pollution problem.
A fire in a debris pile at a recycling plant near the Port of Oakland has caused a significant plume of smoke, leading to warnings about diminished air quality in the area. The fire, which is contained but expected to burn for a while, has prompted an air quality advisory for parts of the Bay Area. The smoke is expected to impact Oakland, San Leandro, Fremont, and Alameda, with potential impacts as far south as San Jose. The Oakland Fire Department and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are closely monitoring the situation.
A fire at a recycling plant in Oklahoma City caused a large plume of black smoke to billow over the area. Firefighters had to shuttle water in one tanker at a time due to limited access to hydrants. No injuries were reported, and authorities blocked off Northeast 10th Street in both directions because of the smoke. The fire started when a large pile of metal in a field caught fire after crews moved a car that had gas in it.
A seven-alarm fire at a recycling facility in Jersey City spread to nearby brush due to windy weather, causing disruptions to light rail service and diversions on the Jersey Turnpike Extension. Embers from the blaze caused multiple additional fires, and firefighters worked into the night to control the situation. The damage to the recycling plant may be permanent, and workers expressed sadness at the potential loss of their workplace.
