Landfills, recycling centers, and garbage trucks across the country are experiencing an increase in fires in recent years.

Janesville Operations Director Maggie Darr says a major cause of these fires is lithium-ion batteries which can combust when they are crushed by trash compactors.

Darr says Wisconsin state law bans most electronics like tablets, cell phones, and laptops from the trash.

Darr says while the cause of a fire July 14th at the Janesville landfill has been undetermined, she wouldn’t rule out improperly disposed batteries as a cause.

A list of locations that accept electronic waste can be found on the City of Janesville’s website.