Why Lithium-Ion Battery Management Must Become Our Next Frontier
The waste and recycling industry has always been about turning problems into opportunities. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are both. They power our phones, scooters, e-bikes, tools, toys, headphones, and even toothbrushes. Yet, as their popularity skyrockets, so does the risk they pose to recycling facilities.
Fires sparked by improperly discarded batteries are now one of the most pressing safety challenges facing our industry. With foresight, collaboration, and commitment, we can transform a growing hazard into a model of responsible resource recovery.
The Hidden Fire Hazard in Everyday Waste
- LIBs are increasingly found in curbside recycling bins and trash cans, often mislabeled or disguised within consumer products.
- Once inside collection vehicles or in recycling facilities, known as MRFs, they can be crushed, punctured, or overheated—triggering thermal runaway events that lead to fires, explosions, and toxic materials.
- A single battery can destroy millions of dollars in equipment, endanger workers, and shut down entire facilities.
This is not a fringe issue. It’s systemic, and it’s growing.
Building a Culture of Battery Safety
Safety isn’t just about fire suppression—it’s about prevention through management practices. Keep in mind these safety tips:
- Contractual clarity: Explicit language in municipal and hauling contracts that LIBs are prohibited in curbside bins.
- Inbound material control: Training drivers and sorters to identify batteries early.
- Safe removal protocols: Employees should idle conveyors, tape terminals, and store batteries in cushioned, fire-resistant containers.
- Damaged battery handling: Swollen, leaking, or smoking batteries require isolation in noncombustible structures with thermal management materials.
- Storage standards: Daily transfer from temporary bins to long-term storage containers.
Fire Suppression Is the Last Line of Defense
Even with robust prevention, fires will happen. Facilities must:
- Maintain fire suppression systems.
- Train employees in incipient fire response while emphasizing safety over heroics.
- Coordinate with local fire departments, inviting them onsite for familiarization tours.
- Monitor for toxic gases like carbon monoxide in storage areas.
The message is clear: prepare for the worst, and design for prevention.
Educating Consumers: Power Comes With Responsibility
No safety system is complete without consumer awareness. Here are some ways to effectively communicate battery safety to consumers:
- Public campaigns reminding residents that “curbside is seldom wise” for batteries.
- Clear instructions to tape or bag terminals before drop-off.
- Engagement with schools, businesses, and community events to spread battery safety messaging.
- Advocacy for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, ensuring manufacturers fund collection and recycling programs.
Consumers must understand that a “dead” battery isn’t truly dead—it can still hold 80 percent of its charge, and with it, the potential to ignite.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainability Meets Safety
Lithium-ion batteries are central to the clean energy transition. But if we fail to manage their end-of-life properly, we risk undermining the very sustainability goals they were meant to serve.
MRFs are on the frontlines of this challenge. By adopting the best practices outlined in this article, facilities can protect workers, safeguard infrastructure, and build public trust. More importantly, they can position themselves as leaders in a circular economy where safety and sustainability go hand in hand.
The future of recycling isn’t just about what we collect—it’s about how safely we manage the power hidden inside.
For more in-depth guidance, check out the Guide for Establishing Lithium-Ion Battery Management Practices at Materials Recovery Facilities, developed by SWANA, the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), and the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA).
To get involved in LIB management, join SWANA's Lithium-ion Battery Work Group by emailing membership@swana.org.