California recycler fined for multiple truck fires sparked by lithium batteries

IDiskk LLC, a Campbell, California-based recycling company, has been fined $25,000 for improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries that reportedly caused several garbage truck fires, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s (DA’s) office.

As reported by The Mercury News, the company was deemed responsible for three garbage truck fires in fall 2021. iDiskk disposed of lithium batteries by throwing them away in regular dumpsters, which were then picked up by garbage trucks. When the trucks compacted their loads, the batteries burst, starting the fires.

The fires took place Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13, according to a news release from the DA’s office. During the Oct. 13 fire, in particular, the truck “dumped its load in the middle of the street to avoid damage to the vehicle,” The Mercury News reports. The lift arms of the truck knocked over utility lines in the process.

“This case demonstrates the risks of throwing lithium-ion batteries away in the regular trash or recycling,” Deputy District Attorney Christopher Judge says in the release. “These fires are incredibly dangerous to the safety of the garbage truck drivers and first responders who must then act quickly to deal with the fire.”

The DA’s office says iDiskk has cooperated with the investigation and has agreed to cease hazardous waste disposal operations, as well as to pay its civil penalties.