Don't throw cell phone batteries into the trash. The used batteries still have the possibility of burning.

When you're ready to move away from old electronic devices, it's hard to figure out how to handle old electronic devices, but that's one thing you should never do: throw them into the trash. Lithium-ion battery powered waste equipment is basically a fire bomb, waiting for an unsuspecting cleaner to explode.

According to the USA Today report, lithium-ion batteries were thrown 65% in abandoned facility fires in California last year. Flames can also be a challenge, because when a battery bursts, other dormant batteries may explode from the flame.

In recent years, battery costs have fallen dramatically, making lithium-ion batteries more affordable for consumer device manufacturers. They are found on most smart phones, laptops, power tools and even cars. Lithium-ion batteries now account for around 70% of the US rechargeable battery market.

This may be good for people using these devices, but it has become a cause of concern for abandoned workers who must be interacting with them. When simply thrown in a trash can or even a recycling bin, the battery can have a catastrophic effect.

According to the United States today, used lithium-ion batteries are the cause of a five-level fire in the recycling facility in Queens, New York, earlier this year. The fire burned for two days, and the smoke emitted black smoke, causing the four branches of the Long Island Railway to be closed for several hours. Last year, unsuspecting sanitation workers in New York City exploded behind garbage trucks and exploded when a garbage truck was compacted.

The problem has become so common that California has launched a comprehensive campaign to remind consumers not to inadvertently blow up their friendly neighbor garbage collectors.

Most people think they can simply throw such batteries, especially when they don't seem to hold power, but lithium-ion batteries don't need too much spark. If the terminal of the battery - the electrical contact sends power from the battery to the device - to contact a metal object, such as a garbage truck, a closed circuit can be created and a charge can be generated. All that is needed is a spark, especially in recycling trucks filled with paper and other combustible materials to start large-scale flames.

There are ways to properly handle lithium-ion batteries without risking a garbage fire. Some cities like San Francisco have dedicated battery recycling programs, so first check local initiatives. Home Depot, Lowes and Best Buy locations provide the correct recycling battery.

If you need to discharge the batteries yourself, Call2Recycle recommends that you put them in a plastic bag to prevent them from touching the metal. Never put them in the trash because they will be shattered or chipped and may explode, unless you have something weird about the garbage collector. But even so, you should handle the battery properly.

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