In this image, a lithium-ion battery sparked a garbage truck fire that closed a city street and put surrounding properties at risk in Bellevue, Washington. (Photo courtesy of Bellevue Police Department and U.S. EPA.)
Lithium-ion batteries, found in many rechargeable devices like cell phones, laptops, and headphones, pose a fire risk when you toss them into your trash or recycling bins at home. Seeking solutions to this hazardous material in waste collection, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) recently released a joint policy statement to address lithium-ion battery disposal.
In the media release announcing the joint statement, NWRA President and CEO Michael E. Hoffman said his organization is, “committed to raising awareness and supporting policy initiatives that promote effective take-back programs, ensuring these batteries are safely and responsibly disposed, with end-of-life certainty.”
Adding to the need for take-back programs, SWANA Executive Director and CEO Amy Lestition Burke, MA, FASAE, CAE, added, “Municipalities often bear the cost burden of collecting batteries and informing their residents of proper disposal methods for batteries.” She also said that awareness of the fire hazards must be increased.
The joint policy statement promotes take-back programs designed for safe collection and recycling as the best solution. The two organizations’ position includes the need for clear end-of-life planning and community education. Together, they seek collaboration with “municipalities, industry stakeholders, and the public to develop and support economically sound and responsible recycling solutions.”
What makes lithium-ion batteries so dangerous?
Lithium-ion batteries can easily ignite when damaged, and in the process of collecting and processing curbside trash, they are likely to be damaged. Mechanized trucks typically crush waste when picking it up. At materials recovery facilities (MRFs), items travel across conveyors and tumble through a series of sorting machines. At landfills, waste is compacted by heavy equipment. The fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries not only caused damage at the facilities or to the vehicles where they occurred, but they also resulted in injured firefighters, monetary loss, and service disruptions in the community. In addition, when we trash our portable devices and their batteries, we cannot reuse the valuable materials they contain in new products.
As portable electronics continue to be a critical part of our everyday lives, our waste and recycling systems will only see more of these batteries. Take all batteries and electronics to a household hazardous waste collection facility in your community. Better yet, use your portable electronics as long as you can, only upgrading to a replacement once your device is no longer working.
We can all do our part to properly dispose of these batteries to keep our community safe. Check with your local solid waste authority for instructions on disposal in your community. For tips on disposal and recycling, read Recycle your batteries right!
Photo courtesy of Bellevue Police Department and U.S. EPA