Waste Wise Lane County launches battery survey after Short Mountain thermal events

Waste Wise Lane County, part of Lane County Waste Management, launched a community survey on Jan. 13, 2026 asking residents how they store, transport and dispose of batteries. The survey follows a notable increase in lithium-ion "thermal events" at the county's Short Mountain landfill and is intended to guide improvements to battery collection and recycling programs that affect public safety and facility operations.

County release notes show Short Mountain reported 49 thermal events in 2025 compared with 34 in 2024. Thermal events include fires and explosions caused when lithium-ion batteries ignite or rupture. County officials say these incidents create safety risks for landfill staff and raise operational and cost pressures on waste management facilities.

Waste Wise wants practical information from households and businesses about battery types in use, storage practices, and how batteries are brought to disposal or recycling points. Responses will be used to shape outreach campaigns, to design new drop-off options, and to refine collection protocols so that hazardous batteries are less likely to arrive loose in municipal trash streams.

The survey is available in English and Spanish and is open to the public. Deadline and link details are posted on the county news page. Participation is voluntary but county staff emphasize that resident input will directly influence how resources are allocated and where collection services may be expanded or adjusted.

For Lane County residents, the immediate impacts are local and concrete. Thermal events can cause temporary closures or slowdowns at landfill operations, potentially affecting waste handling timelines and worker safety. Reducing the frequency of battery-related incidents may limit emergency responses and lower costs passed through to ratepayers or county budgets. Better data on household battery practices can also support targeted public education so residents know when and where to take rechargeable batteries and other hazardous battery types.

The county-level effort ties into broader trends: lithium-ion batteries are common in phones, power tools, e-bikes and portable electronics, and improper disposal is a growing challenge for solid waste systems nationwide. How Lane County adapts its collection network and outreach will determine whether Short Mountain and other facilities can reduce disruptions and maintain safe operations.

What comes next for residents is straightforward: complete the survey, check the county news page for the link and deadline, and follow any updated guidance on battery storage and drop-off. The survey results will inform the next round of outreach and service adjustments aimed at preventing further thermal events and protecting both workers and community waste services.