December Fire Report: This Year’s TrendsDecember Fire Report: This Year’s Trends

As the year comes to an end, the waste and recycling industry continues to battle a concerning trend: an increase in both the number and severity of fire incidents. From lithium-ion battery fires to catastrophic losses at facilities, the challenges facing the industry are becoming more critical.

In this month’s article, I take a comprehensive look at the latest data and industry trends to better understand the scope of the problem and how we as an industry can collectively work toward a solution in the new year and beyond.

November 2024 Fire Data

In November, the waste and recycling industry experienced 26 fire incidents. Among these, 10 occurred in waste, paper and plastic operations, eight in metals recovery facilities, three in organics operations, three in construction and demolition facilities and one each in rubber and hazardous materials operations. Thirteen of these incidents were considered catastrophic, based on the National Waste & Recycling Association and Resource Recycling Systems’ definition from a report earlier this year, which considers losses of $400,000 or more as catastrophic. At Fire Rover, we continue to respond to fires at our clients’ 750-plus operations at an average rate of one per day. However, November saw a slight decrease in the frequency of incidents, offering a brief respite in an otherwise challenging trend.

Over the past eight years, the industry has consistently experienced a seasonal uptick in fire incidents, which I have referred to as the “summertime spike.” This spike is largely driven by heightened heat and dryness during the warmer months; it is not solely attributable to the increase in lithium-ion batteries within waste and recycling streams. However, lithium-ion batteries have played a significant role in the rise in fire incidents since 2016.

Typically, this trend of heightened fire activity begins to taper off by July. However, 2024 has proven to be an exception, with elevated fire activity continuing through November—marking a significant shift from years prior. Although November saw a slight decrease in incidents, it still recorded the second-highest number of fires for that month since 2016. Alarmingly, half of these incidents were classified as catastrophic, with estimated damages and downtime exceeding $400,000 per event.

What remains most concerning is this data only represents a fraction of the overall industry. Based on the Environmental Research & Education Foundation’s 2013 estimate of about 10,000 materials recovery facilities (MRFs), transfer stations and scrap metal facilities, Fire Rover currently protects more than 8% of the waste and recycling industry. That number continues to grow, and while we typically safeguard our clients' highest-volume, most revenue-generating assets, industry fire incidents continue to rise at an alarming rate.

On a higher note, we now have another year of valuable data to consolidate, analyze and report as I begin the process of preparing my “8th Annual Waste & Recycling Facilities Fire Report.” As in past reports, this year’s report will provide a comprehensive overview of the trends, challenges and advancements in fire prevention and mitigation within the industry.

In the meantime, it is important to reflect on what we have learned this year and identify actionable insights to prepare for the ongoing challenges these trends present. By analyzing the data and understanding the root causes of these incidents, we can develop more efficient and effective strategies to safeguard facilities, reduce risks and protect the industry from the growing threat of fires.

Trend #1: The Rechargeable Battery Epidemic Continues

We are continuing to see an ever-increasing number of rechargeable batteries entering the market through consumer products and other channels. While those of us in the waste and recycling industry are familiar with the consequences, much of the public has little to no knowledge about the risks and proper disposal methods for these batteries.

Consider the latest statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration: There are now nearly two fires on airplanes each week in the U.S. caused by lithium-ion batteries. This alarming trend highlights a broader issue: Battery-related fire incidents are rising across all sectors.  In an article earlier this month in a study completed by Material Focus’ in the UK, revealed that, “of the 13.5 million vapes purchased each week, roughly 8.2 million are thrown away or recycled incorrectly. The study also found that 77 percent of those surveyed claimed they lacked access to clear information about recycling options for vapes. It’s no surprise that this amount of vapes being carelessly tossed has contributed to a 77 percent increase in battery fires, with over 1,200 being reported in the last year.”  Using a simple population equivalent, this means that an estimated 48 million vapes are thrown away or recycling incorrectly in the US and Canada each week. 

In the waste and recycling industry, we have the advantage of knowing where the batteries are likely to be found within our operations thanks to new technologies and equipment. However, in everyday life, the situation is less predictable. For example, we have seen damage caused by an e-bike battery fire in an apartment building and a lithium-ion battery igniting in the cargo hold of a ship. These types of tragic incidents are drawing much-needed public attention to the dangers of improper battery disposal.

For our industry, this increased awareness presents an opportunity. As battery-related fires become more publicized in mainstream news outlets, we have a platform to educate consumers about the importance of properly recycling or disposing of batteries. By leveraging this awareness, we can call for better public education campaigns, improved collection systems and stricter regulations around the disposal of batteries.

This is a significant challenge, but with increased focus on education and outreach, we can make great strides to reduce the risks posed by rechargeable batteries. It is not just about protecting our industry; it is about safeguarding residences, businesses and lives from the devastating effects of these fires.

Trend #2: More Major Fire Incidents at Waste and Recycling Operations

As we approach the end of the year and analyze the trends, it is clear 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most challenging years yet for fire incidents in the waste and recycling industry. Not only are we seeing a substantial increase in the number of fires, but their severity remains as bad—or in some cases, worse—than ever. If current projections hold true, we are on track to experience more than 80 catastrophic fires at waste and recycling facilities across the U.S. and Canada this year.

This trend echoes the rise in lithium-ion battery fires occurring in other environments, such as airplanes, residences and charging stations. Within waste and recycling operations, the increased presence of lithium-ion batteries continues to be a leading cause of these devastating fires.

To better understand the real-world impact of these incidents, I encourage you to watch the below video featuring David and Morris Friedman from Friedman Recycling. Their candid account of the fire that devastated their operation and the remarkable effort to rebuild following the fire is both inspiring and informative.

Another example comes from Scott Ledford of Metro Site whose story serves as a cautionary tale for the industry, particularly the business-to-business side of operations. While much of the public conversation focuses on the dangers of improperly disposing of rechargeable batteries, Ledford’s experience highlights the critical role businesses play in educating their clients on safe recycling practices.

In Ledford’s case, a client improperly placed car battery components into a bin designated for plastic films, sparking a catastrophic fire. The blaze ultimately consumed the majority of Metro Site’s operations and required more than 4 million gallons of water to get the fire under control. Although Ledford successfully sued his client for damages, the settlement only covered compensation to the insurance company and legal fees, leaving little to cover his business’ downtime and necessary upgrades.

This story underscores the importance of accountability and proactive education to prevent these types of incidents. Businesses must not only adhere to stringent safety protocols but also ensure their clients are informed about the risks associated with improper disposal of materials.

As we move into 2025, it is imperative for the industry to double down on fire prevention measures, client education and effective safety protocols. By sharing stories like the ones above and learning from each other’s experiences, we can work together to mitigate risks and safeguard the future of the waste and recycling industry.

Trend #3: Insurers Are Leaning into Innovative Solutions that Work

It is difficult to determine whether this trend is unique to Fire Rover or reflects broader safety investments across the industry, such as backup cameras, x-ray technology, robotic sorting and other technological advancements. However, many of our customers are securing favorable insurance plans for their properties, plants and equipment.

Waste360 recently published an article titled, “Top Ways Waste Companies Can Keep Insurance Premiums Affordable,” which explores the diligence and preparation needed to craft a strong “safety story” that best positions operators to secure fair plans with insurers.

One major and growing concern for many transfer stations and MRFs is fires caused by batteries, which account for about 50% of fires in these facilities. These incidents often occur on tipping floors, where a single lithium-ion battery run over by a front-end loader can explode and instantly spark a fire.

While some insurers anticipate these risks, they are more inclined to offer favorable terms when they see waste and recycling facility operators taking proactive safety measures. Insurers typically look for documentation that proves facilities meet or exceed building codes and standards, such as the National Fire Protection Association’s 855 requirements for mitigating energy storage hazards, particularly for metal and battery recyclers. The more data and evidence operators can provide, the stronger their case will be with insurers.

Many of our largest clients self-insure the initial tranche of their properties, plants and equipment. By absorbing some of the risk themselves, they gain access to more flexible market options. For smaller companies or others not in this position, my advice is to get your ducks in a row before meeting with your insurance agent. By demonstrating operational best practices and highlighting past and planned investments in safety measures, they will see you have done your due diligence.

According to Nathan Brainard from Insurance Office of America, one of the most frequent questions he hears from waste and recycling facility owners is, “Can you help me get insurance for my property?” The reality is few single carriers offer full coverage these days. Instead, a strategy called “layering” is often used, where multiple carriers each provide a portion of the coverage needed. For instance, it may take four or five carriers working together to secure $20 million in coverage for a single building.

Brainard emphasizes the importance of coupling fire mitigation practices with technology and training. This includes proper stacking of bale heights and maintaining adequate spacing between bale rows—especially with plastic bales, which are prone to spontaneous combustion. Ensuring sprinkler systems are up to code and performing annual flow tests are two other critical steps.

“Operators may not know if their system has the capacity or sprinkler head size for their

occupancy,” explains Brainard. “So, they have a fire, and it turns into a large steam bath rather than extinguishing the fire. We give our clients support so they know the system is adequate and functions to ensure safety. In turn, they get credits with their insurance company to reduce their premiums.”

In recent months, lending institutions also have begun recognizing these challenges facing the waste and recycling industry. They are increasingly working with borrowers to address these issues, which may help streamline the process of obtaining and maintaining affordable insurance in the future.

Meanwhile, fire risk remains a critical topic, prompting waste and recycling companies to take proactive steps, including increased capital investment in risk mitigation. Scott Denbo from Commercial Insurance Associates states, “Fires will continue to persist until we can figure out better ways to get lithium-ion batteries out of the waste stream. But I think people will get better because they want to and are becoming more aware.”

Conclusion

December always feels bittersweet to me. Compiling and analyzing the latest waste and recycling industry fire data requires significant time and effort, but my goal is to continue to provide a trusted resource for education, insights and solutions that serve the incredible facility operators, safety advocates, insurance companies, fire professionals and others.

As always, feel free to reach out if you would like to discuss or learn more.  Hope you have a safe and happy end to 2024 and a fresh and hopeful 2025! 

Ryan Fogelman, JD/MBA, is a partner at Fire Rover. He is focused on bringing innovative safety solutions to market, and two of his solutions have won the distinguished Edison Innovation Award for Industrial Safety and Consumer Products. He has been compiling and publishing the “Reported Waste & Recycling Facility Fires in the US/CAN” since February 2016 and the “Waste & Recycling Facility Fires Annual Report.” Two of Fogelman’s companies have made it on the Inc.’s 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. list; most recently, Fire Rover ranked 1,517 in 2024 with a three-year revenue growth of 341%. Additionally, Fogelman is on the National Fire Protection Association’s Technical Committee for Hazard Materials. (Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjayfogelman or email at [email protected])