A homeowner is raising awareness about the dangers of tossing lithium batteries in the trash after a video uploaded by Go Garbage (@gogarbage) went viral.
The clip shows a garbage truck smoking and dumping its contents onto the road, with some of it appearing to be on fire.
The text overlay in the video reads, “So my neighbor in the white house didn’t know that lithium batteries don’t belong in the trash.”
The video has since racked up over 34.7 million views, sparking a serious conversation about how to properly dispose of lithium batteries.
Do Lithium Batteries Really Cause Fires?
Yes, they do. According to the National Waste & Recycling Association, lithium batteries can start dangerous fires when they are crushed or damaged.
These batteries, often called “zombie batteries,” may seem dead but can ignite if mishandled. This is why they should never be thrown in regular trash or recycling bins.
Instead, there are dedicated websites to help people find the nearest drop-off locations where they can safely recycle their lithium batteries.
Why Aren’t These Bagels Moldy? TikToker Raises Questions About Preservatives in Food!
Exploding Lithium Batteries in the Media
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about lithium battery fires. A recent viral video captured the moment a fire broke out in a home when a dog chewed on a battery.
Thankfully, the dog escaped as the furniture went up in flames. The fire department later issued warnings about the dangers of leaving lithium batteries around the house.
@gogarbage What Happens when your Neighbors Dispose of a Lithium Battery Incorrectly? #lithium #batteries #garbagetruck #fail #ai ♬ You're Fucked – Ylvis
There have also been several reports of truck fires caused by these batteries. Just recently, a truck carrying lithium batteries caught fire, causing a major highway near Las Vegas to shut down. It was the third such incident in just a few months.
Here’s How a TikToker Got Hulu to Drop Their Price to $2.99/Month!
Viewer Reactions
In the comments section of the video, users were quick to discuss the difference between lithium batteries and regular household batteries.
“I’ve thrown away so many batteries, and this has never happened,” wrote one user, Mr. Hobo136. Another user pointed out:
“There’s a difference between your regular acid batteries and a lithium battery. The lithiums will catch fire from getting wet or overheating and will burn for days. Acid batteries don’t.”
User Roni added, “Y’all, lithium batteries are not the normal batteries you use and throw away.”
IDF Soldier’s TikTok About Her Boyfriend Goes Viral for All the Wrong Reasons!
How to Recycle Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries, which are commonly found in tools, cell phones, computers, smartwatches, and e-bikes, need to be properly recycled.
One helpful tip came from a user named AnaMaria, who suggested, “PSA: if you have a @Batteries Plus store nearby, you can give them your batteries, and they’ll recycle them!”
So, before tossing those batteries in the trash, make sure you know where to safely drop them off!