The town of Fort Fairfield is partnering with Aroostook Waste Solutions to offer local residents a safer and alternate method to dispose of rechargeable batteries. Prior to the implementation of the recycling bin located near the Fort Fairfield town office, residents had the option of disposing of the batteries at Tri-community landfill in Fort Fairfield, the Transfer Station or Lowes in Presque Isle.
鈥淲e鈥檝e worked with the Town of Fort Fairfield to establish an additional drop off location here at the town office where residents can bring rechargeable batteries. Primarily we鈥檙e concerned with the lithium but any rechargeable battery is part of the program. So that those can be safely stored and then we will as we collect them we will send them to a national recycling organization, have them recycled. Keep them out of people鈥檚 garages, keep them out of garbage trucks, and keep them out of the landfill where they can potentially cause fires.鈥漵ays Mark Draper, Solid Waste Director for Aroostook Waste Solutions.
There has been an increase in the number of fires at the landfill, and although the exact cause cannot be determined, it is believed to be related to the presence of rechargeable batteries once damaged, overcharged, and wet. 鈥淭he program we鈥檙e establishing, we will be able to accept laptops, tablets, and cell phones in this program. Some devices, kids toys for example, the batteries are part of that device. That鈥檚 another challenge, for another day that we鈥檙e gonna have to try to work on. Again if it鈥檚 a rechargeable battery, and again those can be a Nickel Cadmium, or a Lithium Ion battery and it鈥檚 removable, it definitely can go into this program.鈥� says Draper.