There were 14 publicly reported fires at North American electronics recycling facilities in 2024, representing a 56% increase over the prior year, according to an annual review by fire detection equipment supplier Fire Rover. It's the highest yearly figure since the company began tracking fire statistics.
Nine workers died in U.S. materials recovery facilities in 2023 and the death rate for refuse and recyclable material collectors jumped more than 80%, according to the latest annual numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Nine major fires were publicly reported at electronics recycling facilities in the U.S. and Canada last year, up from five the year before, according to an annual review of media coverage conducted by fire protection firm Fire Rover.