Lithium-ion batteries are the powerhouses found in our most loved everyday electronic gadgets and devices, from disposable vapes to electric vehicles (EVs). However, improper disposal of these batteries in household waste can pose serious risks due to their reactive nature.
In her article for Recycling Today, Investigator Amy Marsland reviews the dangers, risks and consequences of lithium-ion batteries and how waste management facilities can prevent and mitigate potential fires.
Although the best way to safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries and devices is to transport them to specialized facilities, many consumers instead mistakenly throw these items—mostly comprised of portable electronics like laptops, cell phones and vapes—into municipal waste or single-stream recycling collection programs. The damage inflicted upon battery cells from sun exposure, compaction, tipping and sorting during material collection and processing can trigger thermal runaway, leading to dangerous fires, explosions and environmental pollution.
Lithium-ion battery disposal in general household waste significantly elevates the risk of fires in recycling centers. Preventing catastrophic lithium-ion battery fires in recycling facilities requires consumers, local authorities and facility management to work together to reduce the number of batteries in the waste stream and implement appropriate protective measures and policies that encourage proper disposal.
Read the article “Protecting Against LIB Fires in Recycling Facilities” in Recycling Today.
