Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been a long-standing issue in the e-waste industry. Batteries are hazardous, but LIBs are exceptionally prone to causing chemical fires when damaged. LIBs have been the source of hundreds of facility, vehicle, and house fires due to battery damage, but Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be the key to a solution.
The Explosive Nature of Lithium Batteries
All batteries can present issues under the right conditions, but LIBs are notorious for their explosive nature and have caused hundreds of fires. The fires result from thermal runaways triggered by a punctured or damaged battery or overheated devices. LIBs undergo self-discharge, which can lead to a thermal runaway if this process is not controlled. A damaged cell can allow impurities to penetrate, leading to a significant electrical shortage. During a thermal runaway, the heat from a failed cell can spread to the next one, making it also thermally unstable.
AI May be the Solution to Battery Disposal Obstacles
One of the most common factors of battery fires stemming from cell penetration is battery damage, which can happen anytime, especially if e-waste is disposed of incorrectly. At least 390 waste and recycling facility fires were reported in 2022 in the United States and Canada, the highest number of fires reported since 2016. When consumers carelessly throw electronics away with municipal waste or even in the wrong waste bin, garbage trucks unknowingly haul loads of trash containing LIBs. When devices are crushed or damaged in transport or during disposal, they can spark chemical fires. Additionally, if garbage trucks drop off loads at landfills, any electronics within the load will cause pollution and potentially a fire.
At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Republic unveiled a next-generation garbage truck designed to detect LIBs. The state-of-the-art garbage truck was built by the industrial company Oshkosh and is powered by AI. Weighing in at more than 41,000 pounds, the electric truck resembles a conventional garbage truck capable of carrying nine tons of cargo. The AI detection system enables drivers to flag collections containing LIBs before they reach recycling plants. As a result, companies can prevent incidents before they occur and even pinpoint problematic loads and repeat offenders.
Prevent Battery Fires with Responsible E-waste Disposal
When it comes to electronic waste disposal, including batteries, the safest and most responsible method is recycling through a professional disposition service. IT asset disposition companies collect old electronics and ensure their safe and proper disposal. By partnering with an ITAD provider, you prevent environmental pollution and ensure professional battery removal with strict safety measures. This approach to electronics recycling effectively prevents harmful chemicals from entering the atmosphere and reduces the risk of fires in landfills.
HOBI International, Inc. is an R2v3, RIOS, and IS0 14001 certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of experience in the waste disposal industry. Our trained professionals undergo training and take special precautions when handling lithium-ion batteries during battery removal. HOBI prioritizes employee safety with fire safety practices and special tools during disposition.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.