At All American, we take pride in keeping our neighborhoods clean and our routes running on time. However, there is one item often hidden in household garbage that can bring our operations to a literal screeching halt: batteries.
Proper battery disposal isn’t just about being eco-friendly; it’s a critical safety measure that protects your property, our drivers, and our equipment.
The Danger in the "Crunch"
Our entire fleet consists of high-efficiency garbage trucks designed to compact waste as we go. This compaction allows us to stay on the road longer and keep our service prices transparent and affordable.
The problem? When a lithium-ion or alkaline battery is crushed by the truck’s compactor, it can short-circuit or “thermal runaway.” In simple terms: it explodes or catches fire.
When a battery ignites inside a pile of dry cardboard, plastic, and paper, a small spark turns into a massive chemical fire in seconds.
The "Burning Pile" on Your Street
If a fire starts inside our truck while we are on your route, our drivers have only one protocol to save the vehicle: Eject the load immediately.
To prevent the entire truck from exploding, the driver must find the nearest safe spot—which is often the street right in front of the house they are currently servicing—and dump the entire load of burning trash onto the pavement.
Nobody wants to see a smoldering pile of garbage in front of their home. It requires emergency fire services to respond, creates a massive mess, and can even damage the asphalt on your street.
How to Handle Proper Battery Disposal
To keep our community safe, we ask that you never place batteries in your trash can. Whether they are small AA batteries, laptop batteries, or power tool packs, they require specialized handling.
Where to dispose of batteries properly: You can find local drop-off points, hazardous waste events, and specialized recycling centers near you by visiting this page on Wisconsin DNR.
Play It Safe
By taking a few extra minutes to separate your batteries, you are preventing dangerous chemical fires and ensuring that your trash service remains reliable. We’ll handle the heavy lifting, but we need your help to keep the “fire” out of our trucks.
Have questions about what else stays out of the bin? Check out our FAQ page.
About All American
All American is a family-owned and operated local business, providing roll-off dumpster rentals, commercial and residential trash pickup, and specialty waste removal services. We currently provide trash removal services to a growing list of communities, including Antigo, Wausau, Merrill, Rhinelander, and Stevens Point.
Our mission is simple: to provide the best possible trash removal services for our Northwoods neighbors with top-notch customer care. When you call, a local person answers! Experience the difference of working with the Antigo area’s leading trash removal service. Contact us today.
