New Nebraska law aims to curb battery-related fires at Omaha recycling center

Firstar Recycling CEO says up to 75% of fires are caused by improper recycling, including batteries

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:23pm

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After a recent challenging fire that took 50 firefighters to put out, the Omaha-based Firstar Recycling center is hopeful that a new Nebraska law set to take effect in 2028 will help address the issue of battery-related fires at recycling facilities. The law will require battery producers to fund a program for battery-specific recycling drop-off sites across the state and ban improper disposal of batteries in landfills.

Why it matters

Firstar Recycling, which contracts with the city of Omaha, has experienced at least a dozen fires in the last decade, with the CEO estimating that up to 75% are caused by improper recycling, including batteries. These fires not only pose a risk to public safety, but also ruin recyclable materials, undermining the entire recycling process.

The details

The most recent fire at Firstar Recycling earlier this month took around 50 firefighters to put out. While the fire department said the blaze was challenging to access and control inside the large warehouse, the recycling center's CEO, Patrick Leahy, stated that this particular fire was not caused by a battery or other prohibited item, but rather by a pile of shredded paper that ignited. However, Leahy acknowledged that batteries are the top threat, along with other improper materials, causing up to three-fourths of the fires at the facility.

  • The new Nebraska law is set to take effect in 2028.
  • Firstar Recycling experienced a fire at its facility just two weeks ago.

The players

Firstar Recycling

An Omaha-based recycling center that has an extensive fire history, including at least a dozen fires in the last decade.

Patrick Leahy

The CEO of Firstar Recycling, who stated that up to 75% of the fires at the facility are caused by improper recycling, including batteries.

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What they’re saying

“When in doubt, blow it out.”

— Patrick Leahy, CEO, Firstar Recycling

“This isn't just a Firstar Recycling problem. It's not just a recycling industry problem. It's a solid waste problem.”

— Patrick Leahy, CEO, Firstar Recycling

What’s next

The new Nebraska law will require battery producers to fund a program for battery-specific recycling drop-off sites across the state, which Firstar Recycling hopes will help address the issue of battery-related fires.

The takeaway

The recurring fires at Firstar Recycling, often caused by improper recycling of batteries and other prohibited items, highlight the broader challenges facing the recycling industry. The new Nebraska law aims to tackle this problem by placing more responsibility on battery producers to provide proper recycling infrastructure, which could help prevent future fires and improve the overall sustainability of the recycling process.