Garbage Truck Fire in Eagan Likely Caused By Improperly Disposed Batteries
EAGAN, MINNESOTA—Just after 9:35 AM today, October 4, 2024, emergency crews from the Eagan Fire Department and Eagan Police responded to a fire involving a garbage truck in the 3600 block of Greensboro Drive. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the road was closed for a short period while fire crews worked to extinguish the fire and clean up the trash.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities suspect that a discarded battery, most likely a lithium-ion battery, could be responsible. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in many household devices, are known to pose fire hazards if not properly disposed of.
Fire Safety and Battery Disposal
The incident has prompted reminders about proper battery disposal from Dakota Valley Recycling. Disposing of batteries in regular household garbage or recycling bins can lead to hazardous situations, as was potentially seen in this fire. Dakota Valley Recycling offers a clear guide for safe battery disposal:
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Rechargeable and popular for their convenience, lithium-ion batteries contain hazardous materials that can spark fires. It is illegal to dispose of them in household trash. To recycle them safely, residents should cover the terminals with tape and drop them off at participating retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Home Depot or bring them to The Recycling Zone in Dakota County.
Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline Batteries: Although safe to dispose of in household garbage, Dakota Valley Recycling encourages residents to bring alkaline batteries to The Recycling Zone to recover valuable materials and reduce waste. These batteries should not be placed in curbside recycling bins as they are too small and may cause issues in recycling facilities.
Car and Automotive Batteries: These larger lead-acid batteries, known as lithium-ion batteries, must be recycled at automotive stores or The Recycling Zone. Disposal of household garbage is both illegal and hazardous.
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries: Another type of rechargeable battery, nickel-cadmium batteries, also require special handling. Like lithium-ion batteries, they cannot be thrown away in regular trash and should be taken to retailers or The Recycling Zone for proper disposal.
A Reminder from The Recycling Zone
Residents are encouraged to take their batteries to The Recycling Zone at 3365 Dodd Road in Eagan. The facility accepts various household hazardous waste materials and offers free disposal services for Dakota County residents.
For more information about accepted materials and facility hours, visit the Dakota Valley Recycling website.
Through safe disposal practices, residents can help prevent hazardous incidents like today’s fire and contribute to a safer, more environmentally friendly community.
Written by: Will Wight
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