A drone thrown away with recyclables in Portage County. Image courtesy: Portage County Solid Waste
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — A potentially dangerous situation was averted at the Portage County Recycling Facility on Tuesday.
According to a news release, a drone was incorrectly discarded in a recycling container. Workers at the facility noticed smoke, indicating that the lithium-ion battery was overheating, and managed to separate it before flames could spread.
“This incident serves as an important reminder that battery-powered devices should never be placed in curbside recycling or trash containers,” said Solid Waste Director Amanda Haffele. “Improperly disposed batteries and electronics pose a significant fire risk to recycling facilities, collection vehicles, and employees.”
Residents are encouraged to recycle battery-powered devices alongside other electronic waste. Batteries can also be recycled at stores like Staples, Batteries Plus, or Lowe’s. The Portage County Landfill will also accept them separately from regular garbage and recycling pickup.
Comments