How to properly dispose of rechargeable batteries in Minnesota [Video]

CLAY COUNTY, Minn. (WCCO) – Officials are offering a reminder about why you should never throw away rechargeable batteries. In Clay County, two fires started at the county’s waste facility in the past month.

The batteries are part of an uptick in fires across the state and country. Here’s more on how and why you should dispose of them properly.

They’re in your toothbrush, your laptop and even your cellphone.

“People are throwing their, anything rechargeable or nickel cadmium or lithium ion batteries, and they’re putting them in the garbage. And they should be recycled,” Clay County Solid Waste Director Corey Bang said.

Bang said it’s a growing problem in the industry.

“What happens when they get in the garbage is we crush them with our heavy equipment. And once air gets to that battery, it essentially explodes,” he said.

In his facility alone, there have been two fires in the last month.

“We were lucky, we got both …