Lithium-ion batteries are used to power many of our devices, but did you know throwing them in the trash or your recycling containers can be dangerous for first responders and waste management providers? To help spread further awareness of the dangers of these batteries and improper disposal methods, the theme for the International Association of Fire Fighters’ annual Safety Stand Down this year is “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?”.
The “Safety Stand Down” is a weeklong event that occurs every year in June. Initiated by the IAFF and other safety-related organizations and agencies, it seeks to increase awareness and safety practices to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths in fire and emergency services. This mission also aligns with Rumpke Waste & Recycling’s commitment to safety and educating our communities about the dangers of batteries in our waste management process.
In 2022, the Columbus Material Recovery Facility (MRF) faced 70 fires—66 of which were linked to batteries. That’s over one fire a week throughout the year. “Ultimately, the folks in our industry are the ones dealing with the fire. Our employees are exposed, and our assets are at risk. These are the cards we’ve been dealt. It’s all about how we respond,” said Region Recycling Manager, Logan Miller.
To help reduce the chance of battery fires, Rumpke uses advanced fire mitigation technology, enforces safety procedures and collaborates with fire and safety experts to continually improve our strategies. However, consumers are on the front lines of battery disposal, and we need your help. Do not throw batteries in the trash or curbside recycling. It’s safer to collect “dead” batteries and contact your local solid waste disposal organizations to identify your nearest hazardous waste drop-off site and take them there.
“When they are disposed of most lithium-ion (secondary batteries) and lithium primary batteries in use today are likely to be a hazardous waste due to ignitability and reactivity,” stated Carolyn Hoskinson, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) in a Lithium Battery Recycling memo.
A recent news article from The New York Times highlights the destruction that sudden fires and explosions from the e-products that use these batteries can create, endangering communities. Read more here: https://news.yahoo.com/e-bike-battery-fires-became-120807964.html The leaders of our cities and municipalities have to get involved as well. To date, the lack of widespread legislation and formal guidelines regarding safe battery disposal makes accessibility for communities difficult. Together, we can encourage our lawmakers to prioritize accessible disposal options, enact defined guidelines and mandate more responsibility from manufacturers.
For more information, visit www.rumpke.com.