Car battery causes fire in City sanitation truck

Published on March 17, 2025

A car battery that was placed in a trash receptacle caused a fire in a sanitation vehicle last week, and the City’s Sanitation Division is reminding residents to properly dispose of hazardous materials.

On Wednesday, March 12, a Sanitation Division driver noticed a small fire in his truck’s hopper. The fire was able to be extinguished and division staff determined a car battery ignited after being picked up during a routine pickup route.

“The driver’s quick response and help from Cheyenne Fire Rescue saved the truck from any damage,” Sanitation Division Manager Austin Reiner said.

Car batteries, along with several other types of waste, cannot be thrown away with household garbage. Instead, these items should be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste facility at the Transfer Station at 220 N. College Drive. There is no charge for Laramie County residents to drop off hazardous materials at the facility.

Household Hazardous Wastes are defined as items that cannot be thrown away due to being ignitable, corrosive, toxic, or poisonous. These materials can also pose a threat to our community’s ground water if not properly disposed of. Customers may be charged with contamination fees if hazardous items are placed into regular trash containers.

Examples of household hazardous wastes include:

• Batteries;
• Oil-based paints (latex paint is not considered hazardous);
• Poisons, pesticides, and herbicides;
• Flammable liquids, gas, and paint thinners;
• Acids (hydrochloric and muriatic);
• Sodium hydroxide and drain cleaners;
• Oxidizers, pool chemicals, and MEKP; and
• Antifreeze.

In addition, latex paint can be thrown away with regular trash only after the paint has been completely dried out. Residents may add kitty litter or sawdust to speed the drying process.

To learn more about Household Hazardous Wastes and proper disposal, visit the Sanitation Division website at www.cheyennecity.org/sanitation.

A video of the fire from the truck’s camera system is available on the City’s YouTube channel.

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For more information, contact the Sanitation Division at 637-6440. Residents can find additional information at www.cheyennecity.org/publicworks or by downloading the Recycle Coach app to receive notifications about changes in the City’s collection schedule.