Waste Industry Fire Numbers May be Decreasing

Recently, the Annual Reported Waste and Recycling Facility Fires Report for January revealed that the number of lithium-ion battery fires in the waste industry has decreased, a trend believed to continue in the coming years. According to the report, fewer unique fire incidents were reported in the waste and recycling facilities in the U.S. and Canada in 2023, which saw 373, compared to the previous year’s 390. 

Fires are common in the waste and recycling industry, especially when electronic waste is handled. Most electronics today are manufactured with Lithium-Ion batteries, which are known to cause fires when damaged in any way. Additionally, chemical fires are more difficult to put out, and can trigger a domino effect if an LIB is close to another. Hundreds of fires happen in the waste industry every year, but the numbers are decreasing. 

The key to avoiding chemical battery fires in the e-waste industry is proper storage, as well as the implementation of safety measures. For storing lithium batteries, the most effective strategy is to design a system that would prevent or at least contain battery fire incidents. Lithium-ion batteries should be isolated from other battery materials and stored and shipped in containers designed to suppress fires. 

Considering the challenges these batteries present to the waste industry, it is essential to provide training for responsible battery management. In addition, the training should give insight into battery fires in general, how to approach and respond in an emergency, and how to use a fire extinguisher made specifically for lithium-ion batteries. 

As an R2, RIOS, and ISO-14001 certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise, HOBI provides safe methods of lithium-ion battery recycling and helps maximize the return value of retired IT assets. HOBI offers repair, refurbishment, remarketing, resale, and recycling services and prioritizes waste prevention by recovering and reusing products as long as possible and recycling those no longer functional. 
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.