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Lithium-ion Batteries

Batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, present significant challenges for collection, recycling, and disposal due to the potential for hazardous reactions.  Improper management or disposal can result in fires, posing serious risks to consumers, waste and recycling workers, and critical infrastructure. 

To ensure safety and sustainability, batteries must be handled with specialized care through designated take-back programs, which facilitate proper collection, transport, and recycling and ensure a safe end-of-life outcome.

Issue Background

  • Increasing Usage – Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, e-bikes, and other uses due to their high energy density and long lifespan.​ 
  • Safety Concerns – Lithium-ion batteries pose a safety risk of starting fires, especially as battery sizes and energy densities increase. Waste and resource management vehicles and facilities have experienced a drastic increase in fires in recent years.
  • Growing Incidents – Incidents of lithium-ion battery fires have been on the rise, leading to safety hazards, property damage, and environmental concerns.

Lithium-Ion Battery Workgroup

SWANA launched the Lithium-Ion Battery Workgroup to unite industry experts to identify immediate and long-term solutions to enhance battery safety and sustainability.​  

All SWANA members are welcome to join! Workgroup members explore solutions and develop recommendations leveraging communications, policy, safety guidance, technology, and innovation.​  

Past presenters to the Workgroup include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Call2Recycle.

Workgroup Benefits:​

  • Engage with industry experts.​ 
  • Discuss challenges and solutions.​ 
  • Develop actionable recommendations and resources. 

Sub-Workgroups: 

Three Lithium-Ion Battery Sub-Workgroups focus on specific topics related to the larger issue: 

  1. Communications & Outreach – Focuses on best practices for consumer-facing communication and education for proper battery and electronics disposal. 
  2. Facility & Vehicle Safety – Focuses on best practices and policies for protecting workers and preventing damage at facilities and in vehicles, including technology and equipment.
  3. Advocacy & Public Policy – Focuses on advocacy and public policy efforts for improving battery and electronics collection, disposal, and recycling.

Learn more about the SWANA Workgroup for Lithium-Ion Battery Safety. 

Join us to discuss solutions to this important challenge to the industry! 
To learn more and sign up, please contact: Kristyn Oldendorf, Senior Director of Public Policy, at koldendorf@swana.org and Natalie Boyd, Technical Divisions Manager, at nboyd@swana.org, with the subject line “SWANA Battery Workgroup.”

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