Madison Reporter

On April 15, 2025, a Madison Streets Division recycling collection operator observed smoke emerging from the truck's top. Following protocol, the operator dumped the materials on the road and drove to safety. The Madison Fire Department responded, but the recyclables caught fire and were later destroyed, ending up in a landfill for proper disposal. Additionally, a nearby terrace tree was damaged and will be removed by Urban Forestry.

Although finding the cause of recycling fires is challenging, firefighters did discover an old computer amid the debris. Batteries mistakenly placed in the recycling often cause such fires. "Never put batteries into the recycling carts. Even the button-sized battery that powers a musical greeting card can spark when damaged and that can lead to fires." The warning extends to electronics as well, with devices like cell phones and laptops containing batteries that may ignite when impaired. "Never put electronics into the recycling."

City of Madison residents have access to free battery and electronics recycling through designated drop-off sites. Information on preparing batteries for recycling is available on the city's website, which includes a short instructional video. Dan County Clean Sweep, alongside the Wisconsin DNR's E-Cycle Wisconsin program, accepts batteries and electronics too. Call2Recycle provides a tool to locate battery recycling options.

Recycling fires are common and pose significant risks, sometimes resulting in costly damages. Wisconsin has experienced such incidents, including a 2023 fire that destroyed the facility managing Milwaukee's recyclables, among others. As batteries become more integrated into daily life, handling them responsibly is critical.

The Streets and Urban Forestry Division expressed gratitude for their staff's swift action, which prevented further escalation. They also thanked the Madison Fire Department for quickly extinguishing the fire. "Their fast thinking prevented this situation from becoming far worse," the division noted.