Emterra Environmental (Image Credit: CFJC Today / File Photo)

By Michael Reeve

EMTERRA FIRE

City of Kamloops urging caution as battery linked to recycling plant fire

Jul 9, 2025 | 2:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops has confirmed that the origin of a fire at the Emterra Material Recycling Facility was a lithium-ion battery. The fire occurred on June 19.

“The fire originated in a load delivered by a City truck, and it is believed that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery that had been improperly disposed of,” reads a press release from the city.

“Lithium-ion batteries—commonly found in everyday items like cell phones, laptops, power tools, gaming consoles, baby monitors, vaping pens, and hearing aids—can pose serious hazards when tossed into regular recycling or garbage bins. These batteries are highly reactive and can spontaneously ignite, creating dangerous situations for recycling and waste management personnel and infrastructure. To prevent these serious safety risks, batteries of any kind must be taken to a designated collection site.”

The June fire was the fourth at Emterra this year, with the city of Kamloops urging caution in disposing of batteries.

“Batteries do not belong in curbside garbage or recycling carts or bins, as they can pose a serious risk to workers, machinery, and our community,” continues the release.

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“Batteries that are discarded in curbside collection can cause explosions, fires, and pose serious risks to recycling workers. It’s extremely important residents don’t put something that is potentially explosive into a recycling bin,” said Maja Rusinowska, Recycle BC’s Manager of Stakeholder Relations.

“If batteries end up in curbside carts or multi-family bins, they could catch fire in the cart, in the collection truck, or at the recycling facility. These are all highly dangerous scenarios for anyone involved, whether a homeowner, truck operator, or staff at the recycling facility or landfill,” said Marcia Dick, the City’s Solid Waste Reduction Coordinator. “We urge people to recycle their batteries at one of the many local convenient locations.”