Batteries are found in almost every electronic device, but lithium-ion batteries are potentially the most dangerous. Known for their explosive nature, LIBs are the source of hundreds of facility fires annually and are the cause of many house fires. The necessity of battery recycling is growing, and many states are finally taking action. As the most recent state to implement battery recycling efforts, Northern Kentucky recently received a battery recycling program for lithium-ion batteries specifically.
LIBs & Their Explosive Tendencies
Batteries have been a pain point in the e-waste industry for years, but LIBs present the most difficult challenges due to their explosive nature. LIBs undergo self-discharge, which can lead to a thermal runaway, causing 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. This reaction can start a chemical fire, which is significantly more difficult to extinguish and can reignite hours later.
Most battery fires occur in materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and continue to increase in numbers. More than 25,000 LIB fires were reported throughout the country in a five-year study from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This number will increase as technology continues to advance.
Many companies are uncertain how to dispose of old IT equipment, and end up throwing it into the trash or recycling bin, which will result in landfill or recycling truck fires. LIB fires can also be costly for companies to recover from. The yearly cost of commercial lithium battery fires in the U.S. is $15.9 billion.
Kentucky’s Battery Recycling Program
Northern Kentucky residents can now freely recycle their used lithium batteries at several firehouses throughout the region, a program managed through the Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub. Partially funded by Rumpke, the program aims to help residents in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries.
“Lithium batteries are becoming more prevalent,” said Jeff Snyder, senior vice president of recycling at Rumpke, in a press release. “And when these batteries reach the end of their life, people don’t know what to do with them, so they toss them into their trash or recycling container, which leads to fires in our trucks and our facilities.”
Battery safety and battery EPRs are extremely important. IT asset management, including proper storage, packaging, and safe battery removal, is critical in battery fire prevention. ITAD providers like HOBI undergo training and take special precautions when handling lithium-ion batteries during battery removal.
All firehouses will only be accepting lithium batteries. A list of participating firehouses can be found here.