NYC Cuts Curbside E-Scrap Pick-up Service
Battery disposal is one of the most common issues in the electronics recycling industry. Materials recovery facilities (MRFs) are constantly on alert for potential fire risks when handling lithium-ion batteries, and a recycling company in Santa Clara County was recently fined for improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are known for their explosive nature. When damaged, they can cause large chemical fires that are difficult to extinguish and can even reignite hours or days later. For this reason, it is critical that disposition facilities like HOBI take extreme caution when handling these types of batteries.
California recycling company, iDiskk, was fined $25,000 in civil penalties as part of a settlement after lithium ion batteries sparked several garbage truck fires. A formal investigation of the company was started in 2021 when fires broke out in three garbage trucks. Earlier this year, there were three other garbage truck fires in trucks that made residential pickups at iDiskk, the cause of which was determined to be dozens of lithium-ion batteries placed in a standard recycling bin.
No one was harmed, but due to significant damage to overhead utility lines that caused the pole to break, iDiskk principals Yue Zou and Lei Zhang were held responsible and a lawsuit was filed against the company for improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. In addition to civil penalties, Zou and Zhang agreed to be bound by a permanent injunction never to improperly dispose of hazardous waste again, according to a press release.
The press release also stated that Zou and Zhang have taken steps to improve compliance with environmental protection laws brought to their attention by prosecutors.
Battery safety should be a top priority for any business, and lithium-ion batteries should be handled by trained professionals. HOBI is a premiere IT asset management and disposition enterprise with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. HOBI specializes in the recycling of retired IT assets, with a focus on maximizing ROI and mitigating any potential environmental liabilities including battery fires.
For more information about our ITAD services call 817-814-2620, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.
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