What could be greener than recycling the sort of batteries that are used in electric cars? Nine News reports on a green environmental disaster in a suburb of Perth, Australia:

The blaze broke out at a lithium battery recycling facility in Maddington on Sunday, sparking a hazmat warning for the area…

Days later, this warning is still in place.

If residents are experiencing symptoms, it’s recommended to shelter indoors and close windows.

Such fires are increasingly common. From the ABC:

DFES [Department of Fire and Emergency Services] chief superintendent for Metro South Scott Hares said … that DFES had responded to 63 lithium battery fires so far this year — around four per week.

Electric car batteries are so prone to bursting into flames that Chevy Bolt owners were advised not to park them in garages or near other vehicles. A major cargo carrier has refused to ship them. Drivers have been cremated alive. The fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and sometimes reignite.

But at least the climate won’t hold the smoke from these fires against us, because it will know that we meant well.

On a tip from Steve T.