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Gulf Area — Dec. 28, 2022 — While electronics make common gifts this holiday season, Waste Management reminds the community that lithium batteries pose a serious problem when disposed of improperly. Lithium batteries are increasingly causing fires in the waste and recycling stream. These batteries can be embedded in electronics such as cell phones, laptops, games and toys, Bluetooth headphones, power tools and e-cigarettes. They can be stand-alone batteries that resemble standard alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, and D cell batteries. Presently, all lithium batteries can cause fires when damaged, even if they can no longer hold a charge.

“Waste Management requests that the community please remove lithium batteries from toys, tools, electronics, etc. and seek a recycling outlet before placing these items in curbside bins or in their container for refuse pickup.  We urge the community to check their local government for recycling options,” said Tony Franco, area safety manager.

Waste Management makes safety a priority when handling community waste. By working with our customers and exercising additional vigilance around battery disposal, we hope to reduce the risk of fires in our trucks, machinery, and disposal / recycling facilities.

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ABOUT WM

WM (WM.COM) is North America’s largest comprehensive waste management environmental solutions provider. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them achieve their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post-consumer materials and is the leader in beneficial reuse of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most gas-to-electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes nearly 11,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy-duty natural gas truck fleet of its kind in North America – where more than half are fueled by renewable natural gas. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.