Garbage Truck Fire in Ridgewood: Why Your Old Batteries Are a “Ticking Time Bomb”

The message from the Village is clear: Our trash shouldn’t be explosive

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, It started as a routine bulk refuse collection in the Village of Ridgewood this morning, but it quickly turned into a high-stakes emergency. A sanitation truck suddenly ignited, forced to make an emergency detour to the Graydon Pool parking lot to dump a 10-foot pile of burning trash.

While quick thinking by the sanitation crew and the Ridgewood Fire Department prevented injuries and saved a costly municipal vehicle, the message from the Village is clear: Our trash shouldn’t be explosive.

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The Incident: Quick Action at Graydon Pool

The fire broke out while the crew was collecting bulk refuse. Recognizing the danger, the drivers immediately navigated the truck to the open space of the Graydon Pool lot.

• First Responders: The sanitation team used portable extinguishers to hold back the flames until the Fire Department arrived.

• Cleanup Crew: The Streets Department deployed bucket loaders to spread out the massive refuse pile so firefighters could douse the hot spots, followed by a full street sweeping to clear the area.

While the exact cause of this specific fire is still under investigation, authorities are pointing to a common culprit: improperly discarded batteries.

The Danger in Your Bin: Why Lithium Batteries Explode

Lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries—found in everything from old cell phones and laptops to vapes and power tools—are highly volatile when crushed. Inside a garbage truck’s compactor, these batteries can short-circuit and spark, leading to “thermal runaway” fires that burn extremely hot and are difficult to extinguish.

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How to Dispose of Batteries and Hazards in Ridgewood

To protect our sanitation workers and keep our streets safe, follow these strict disposal guidelines:

🔋 Batteries (Rechargeable & Lithium)

• DO NOT throw rechargeable, button cell, or single-use lithium batteries in your regular trash or bulk refuse.

• Where to go: Bring them to the Ridgewood Recycling Center.

• Preparation: You must place non-conductive tape (like electrical tape) over the terminal ends before handing them to an attendant.

🚜 Gas-Powered Equipment

• Drain first: All gasoline and oil must be removed from lawnmowers or leaf blowers before they are brought to the Recycling Center.

• Fluids: Take used oil or gas to a Bergen County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event.

⚠️ Household Hazardous Waste

Items like oil-based paints, thinners, and insecticides should never go in the trash. These must be saved for specialized Bergen County collection days (typically held at locations like Bergen Community College or Campgaw Reservation).

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Quick Disposal Guide

Have questions? Contact the Ridgewood Recycling Center at 201-670-3373.

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