Landfills across New York state are urging homeowners and others not to dispose of rechargeable batteries, namely lithium-ion, in their regular trash. 

A number of batteries that have been pulled from landfills charge a number of everyday items like toys, electronics, and power tools.

"The rechargeable batteries nowadays are more powerful, and because they're more powerful, they can, when compromised, can cause what's called a thermal run-off and create fires," said Aaron Gustafson, deputy director, Public Facilities Environment, Chautauqua County.

Not only inside your home, but like the one at the landfill earlier this month, which broke out on a weekend when no one was there and could have been a lot worse, had a nearby homeowner not seen the smoke.

"It's very dangerous. [It] was fully engulfed in smoke," Gustafson said. "There was quite a few flames there as well so, if no one would have noticed anything, this thing could really taken off and it could have spread to outlying areas certainly."

Which is why people are encouraged to properly dispose of rechargeable batteries by bringing them to their local big box or hometown hardware stores.

Retailers who sell them offer collection boxes.

"Just think about how they can do their little part to help our environment, it's great," said Louise Lanski, co-owner, Add Lumber. "And I think a lot of people do care about that. If they know there's a place to easily drop it off, they'll do it."

Not only to keep the landfills safe, but their homes and themselves as well. 

"And it should in the long run, the more batteries we recycle, the less we'll have to mine, say, the lithium or anything to produce new ones," Gustafson said.

While there are several drop-off locations near you, state conservation law, since 2010, requires retailers who sell certain rechargeable batteries to offer collection services. Battery manufacturers are also required to cover the cost of the recycling.