A pressurized gas container exploded inside a Fairfax County trash truck the week of Sept. 1, injuring collection workers.

The county's Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) confirmed the incident, which occurred when the container was compacted during a curbside pickup. Separately, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded to the I-66 Transfer Station at 4618 West Ox Road to extinguish a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery someone had thrown in the trash, according to FFXnow.

The I-66 Transfer Station serves Reston-area households and is the closest county hazardous waste drop-off for most residents.

Those two incidents prompted DPWES to issue a safety advisory on Wednesday, Sept. 9, telling residents to stop putting rechargeable batteries and pressurized gas canisters in household trash or recycling bins.

"Throwing away pressurized tanks in a rear-load trash truck is extremely hazardous," said Shonpaul Truss, who oversees the county's waste collection service. "When compacted, these tanks can rupture or explode, creating a serious risk of injury, equipment damage, or fire."

Anthony Tindall, director of sustainability for DPWES's Solid Waste Management Program, said the transfer station's tipping floor contains paper products and waste wood that make improperly discarded batteries and propane tanks a threat to the building and employees.

Where to take batteries

Only batteries labeled "Alkaline" or "Carbon Zinc" can go in household trash, according to the county advisory. Every other type, including the lithium-ion cells found in laptops, phones, power tools, e-bikes and vapes, must go to a designated drop-off site.

Residents can find a location at locator.batterynetwork.org or bring batteries to the household hazardous waste areas at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex at 9850 Furnace Road in Lorton.

If a resident cannot identify the battery type or remove it from a device, the county advises bringing the entire item to hazardous waste staff.

Where to take gas canisters

The I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex accept helium tanks under 20 pounds, nitrogen cartridges and camping-size propane canisters. Refrigerant and oxygen tanks are not accepted and should be returned to the supplier.

Drop-off hours

The I-66 Transfer Station accepts household hazardous waste six days a week. It is closed on Wednesdays. The I-95 Landfill Complex takes hazardous materials on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Businesses must return compressed air cylinders to their supplier and work with a hazardous waste company to dispose of lithium-ion batteries.