Hazardous and Special Products | Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA)

One Lithium-Ion Battery Can Cause a Fire

Lithium-ion batteries power many of the rechargeable devices we use every day.

From cell phones and laptops to wireless earbuds, power banks, cordless tools, rechargeable toys, smart watches, vapes, and e-bikes, lithium-ion batteries are found throughout our homes.

When lithium-ion batteries are placed in garbage, recycling carts, Green Bins, or yard waste, they can become damaged during collection and processing. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can overheat, spark, and cause fires, and potentially harm workers.

The good news? Recycling lithium-ion batteries is easy.

Residents can drop off lithium-ion batteries at an EWSWA Depot when they are done with them to ensure they are safely handled.

Take the Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Challenge EWSWA Drop Off Depots

It's a (3) week challenge that includes weekly challenges that will only take a few minutes of your time.

What Are Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries are found in portable and rechargeable products. They store a large amount of energy in a small, lightweight package.

Some examples of lithium-ion batteries are found in cell phones, rechargeable battery packs, and common power tools.

Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Happen

Lithium-ion batteries contain a large amount of stored energy.

When lithium-ion batteries are used and handled properly, they generally operate safely. However, if a lithium-ion battery becomes damaged, crushed, punctured, overheated, and/or exposed to excessive physical stress, it can become unstable.

A damaged lithium-ion battery may generate heat, release smoke, produce sparks, or ignite. In some circumstances, a fire can spread quickly because of the energy stored within the battery.

This can lead to a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," which can cause:

Smoke
Sparks
Extreme heat
Fires
Explosions

Unlike many other household fires, lithium-ion battery fires can ignite very quickly and burn at extremely high temperatures.

Lithium-ion batteries can become damaged when they are placed in curbside collection programs during collection, transportation, and processing.

Drop Off Depots Recycle Your Batteries locator

One Lithium-Ion Battery Can Cause a Fire

Closed!

What Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Hiding In Your Home?

From August 17th 12:00 pm to 23rd 11:55 pm

Lithium-Ion Battery Round-Up Challenge

Coming August 24th!

3-Week Challenge Rules

The 3-Week Challenge begins on August 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST and closes on August 31, 2026, at 11:55 p.m. EST.

Eligibility

The 3-Week Challenge is open to residents of Windsor and Essex County who:

Are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
Complete a weekly Lithium-Ion Battery Safety 3-Week Challenge during the 3-Week Challenge period.

How to Enter

Participants may enter by completing the weekly Lithium-Ion Battery Safety 3-Week Challenge each week:

Week 1: August 10-16, 2026

Week 2: August 17-23, 2026

Week 3: August 24-31, 2026

Participants can receive:

One (1) entry into the applicable weekly prize draw,
One (1) entry into the Grand Prize draw for each completed Challenge.

Limit one (1) entry per participant per Week Challenge period.

Participants may receive a maximum of three (3) entries into the Grand Prize draw.

Prizes

Weekly Prize Draws

One (1) winner each week will be randomly drawn and will receive:

One (1) $100 Canadian Tire Gift Card

Approximate retail value: $100 CAD each.

Grand Prize Draw

At the end of the 3-Week Challenge, one (1) winner will be randomly drawn and will receive:

One (1) $200 Canadian Tire Gift Card

Approximate retail value: $200 CAD.

Prizes must be accepted as awarded and are not transferable, exchangeable, or redeemable for cash.

Draws will be conducted at the EWSWA Administration Office.

Winner Notification

Winners will be contacted using the contact information provided during challenge completion.

If a selected entrant cannot be contacted within seven (7) calendar days, declines the prize, is deemed ineligible, or fails to satisfy 3-Week Challenge requirements, another entrant may be selected.

Skill-Testing Question

To be declared a winner, selected entrants must correctly answer a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question without assistance.

Failure to correctly answer the skill-testing question will result in disqualification, and an alternate winner may be selected.

Privacy

Personal information collected for 3-Week Challenge administration will be used solely for the purposes of administering the 3-Week Challenge and contacting winners.

3-Week Challenge responses will be maintained separately from 3-Week Challenge entry information.

Personal information will be managed in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and EWSWA privacy practices.

General Conditions

The EWSWA reserves the right to:

Verify entrant eligibility;
Disqualify entries that are incomplete, fraudulent, or do not comply with these rules;
Substitute a prize with one of equal or greater value if necessary; and
Cancel, modify, or suspend the 3-Week Challenge if circumstances beyond its reasonable control affect the administration of the 3-Week Challenge.

By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these 3-Week Challenge Rules and all decisions of EWSWA, which are final.

Winner Consent

By accepting a prize, winners agree that the EWSWA may publicly announce their first name and municipality of residence for 3-Week Challenge promotion and reporting purposes.

Lithium-Ion Battery Frequently Asked Questions

Why Shouldn't Lithium-Ion Batteries Go in Garbage, Recycling, Green Bins or Yard Waste?

During collection and processing, batteries can be:

Crushed by heavy materials
Punctured by sharp objects
Damaged by collection equipment
Exposed to heat, pressure, or impact

Battery-related fires can occur in:

Collection vehicles
Transfer stations
Recycling facilities
Organics processing facilities
Waste processing facilities
Landfills

How can I tell if a toy contains a lithium-ion battery?

Many newer toys contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

A quick way to identify them is to look for a charging port or charging cord.

What should I do if a lithium-ion battery is damaged?

A damaged battery should be handled with caution.

Common signs of damage include:

Swelling or bulging
Leaking fluids
Cracks
Burn marks
Excessive heat
Strange smells
Hissing or popping sounds

If a battery appears damaged:

Avoid handling it excessively.
Keep it away from combustible materials.
Store it in a safe location.
Bring it to an approved collection facility as soon as possible.

If a battery is smoking, sparking, or actively burning, move away from the area and contact emergency services if necessary.

Why Are Battery Fires Becoming More Common?

Lithium-ion batteries are found in more household products than ever before. Over the past decade, rechargeable batteries have become common in items that were once powered by cords or disposable batteries.

Today, lithium-ion batteries can be found in:

Wireless earbuds
Smart watches
Power banks
Lawn and garden equipment
Children's toys
Scooters and e-bikes
Cordless power tools
Disposable and rechargeable vapes

As the number of battery-powered products continues to grow, so does the number of batteries entering the waste stream.

What happens to batteries after they are recycled?

When lithium-ion batteries are recycled, they are collected, sorted, and processed at specialized recycling facilities. The batteries are dismantled and treated to recover valuable materials, which may include:

Lithium
Nickel
Cobalt
Copper
Aluminum
Graphite

These materials are refined and reused in the manufacture of new batteries, electronics, and other products. Recycling lithium-ion batteries helps conserve natural resources, reduces the need for new mining, and keeps potentially hazardous materials out of landfills. It also supports a circular economy by returning valuable materials back into the supply chain for future use.

I can't get to the EWSWA Depot. What are my options?

Residents have several options for recycling batteries.

In addition to the EWSWA Depots, batteries can often be recycled through participating battery retail drop-off locations.

Residents can use online drop-off locators, such as Recycle Your Batteries, to find a drop-off location near them!

Having ways for residents and businesses to properly disposing/recycling Hazardous and Special Waste (HSP) is essential to protecting Essex Windsor's:

Environment
Drinking water
Local Essex-Windsor Regional Landfill

Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) can be corrosive, flammable, explosive or poisonous. These items must not be consumed or placed in the garbage, recycling or any diversion program, or poured down the drain, toilet or sewer. When hazardous items are improperly disposed of, it will negatively affect the local environment and harms humans and animals in the Essex-Windsor region and beyond.

Note: Lithium-ion batteries can be a fire hazard and should NEVER be placed out for curbside collection (garbage, yard waste, green bin, or recycling). Lithium-ion batteries should always be dropped off at an EWSWA Depot (for free) to be recycled and disposed of properly.

Visit one of three EWSWA Depots today to see how easy, convenient and worry free it is for you to do what’s right by recycling/disposing of your hazardous and special products safely at an EWSWA Depot.