Where to throw away lithium battery

It is a known fact that lithium batteries are especially high-energy density batteries with fast charging abilities. These batteries are also known for their ability to be recycled. Thus, it is important to be sure of the proper disposal measure for a lithium battery.

Because of the reduced cost of lithium batteries, they are increasingly used in a lot of equipment and devices, from smartphones to portable equipment. 70% of the rechargeable batteries in the US are lithium batteries. Thus, almost everyone uses lithium batteries now, and when they lose charge, they should be properly disposed.

When lithium batteries are not properly disposed, a fire hazard could result. According to reports, a lot of fires in waste facilities were started by lithium batteries that were not properly disposed. When lithium batteries are not properly disposed, they could be likened to firebombs which can go off at any time.

Can you throw away lithium batteries?

Generally, items such as batteries need special consideration as per their disposal. For a lot of batteries, it is because of the harmful chemicals such as battery which they may contain. For batteries such as lithium batteries, the main issue is the potential of starting a fire. Lithium batteries, even when they have lost charge, can ignite a fire.

Several fires, especially in waste and recycling facilities, have been ignited because of a lithium battery that was not properly disposed. In 2018, a recycling facility in New York had a five-alarm fire that was ignited by a lithium battery that wasn't properly disposed. The fire burnt for two days. There have also reports of explosions in waste disposal trucks which were ignited by lithium batteries that were not properly disposed.

Lithium batteries can cause these fires because, even if they have lost the ability to hold a charge, because a closed circuit could be created between the terminal of the batteries and metallic materials. When the circuit is formed, especially under high pressure, a spark that could result in a fire could result. It takes just one spark to start a fire in environments such as waste disposal trucks where there are a lot of inflammable materials.

Yes, you can throw away a lithium battery after it has lost its charge. You should, however, take note of the proper measures for disposing these batteries. Although lithium batteries could be recycled, proper disposal measures should be especially considered because of their ability start fires.

Where do you dispose of lithium batteries?

Firstly, it is important to point out that it is very wrong to dispose lithium batteries in a trash. Under the high pressure in the trash bin or recycling  truck, the environment for creating a closed circuit with a metallic object could be created.

The regulations for disposing lithium batteries differ across countries. In the US, for example, there are no national regulations as per the disposal of batteries used by consumers. There are, however, regulations on the disposal of a large scale of these batteries. These regulations include incineration  in a facility dedicated to the incineration of hazardous substances. Other regulations also apply to the disposal of lithium batteries across states in the U.S

For consumers of lithium batteries, it is important to note that lithium batteries should only be disposed when they are ascertained to have lost charge. A lithium battery is said to have lost charge when its voltage becomes 2 V or less when under a current of C/100.

In a bid to ensure proper disposal of lithium batteries, manufacturers of these batteries have instituted measures of proper disposal of the batteries. Collection points for these batteries are available in a variety of locations across the US, for example. Research by Call2Recycle has shown that there is a safe collection points for lithium battery within 10 miles of the residence of over 80% of Americans. Even with these safe collection points, research has also shown that about 15% of Americans still dispose their lithium batteries in their trash.

The collection points of lithium batteries include stores such as Home Depot, Best Buy and Ace Hardware. Because of the fire hazard of lithium batteries, if one of not sure of available safe collection points, they could call the appropriate local authorities. Safe collection points for these batteries are also listed on Call2Recycle’s website. Apart from the collection point for the recycling of these batteries, there are hazardous household waste disposal sites where wastes such as lithium batteries can be disposed.

Although lithium batteries are recyclable, it is important to point out that these items are not suitable for single-stream recycling. Thus, if disposed with items eligible for single-stream recycling, they pose a fire hazard and efforts at recycling them would be futile as they would have become an environmental hazard.

How do I dispose of a broken lithium battery?

A broken lithium battery has different peculiarities from a lithium battery that no longer holds a charge. This is because these batteries are more susceptible to fire hazards and other forms of hazard attributed to lithium batteries.

It is important to handle a broken lithium battery properly and seek professional help if experiencing any issues handling the battery. These issues could include the battery being stuck in a cellphone, for example. In such a case, it is important to seek a professional to help remove the battery.

Proper storage of lithium batteries is also important. Measures of storage of a broken lithium battery include storing the battery in its original packaging or in a storage unit that is non conductive. It is also important to note that broken lithium batteries should not be stored with other types of batteries. While storing a broken lithium battery, it is also important  to tape the terminals. Taping the terminals of these batteries keeps them from initiating reactions if reacting conditions are created during storage.

Broken lithium batteries cannot be recycled. Thus, they should not be disposed in dedicated  recycling centres. Instead, one could reach out the manufacturer for appropriate disposal measures. One could also call Call2Recycle to find out the appropriate disposal measure and if they accept such broken lithium batteries.

Lithium batteries are more common than ever. With the environmental hazards improper disposal of these batteries pose, it is important to ensure proper disposal of every lithium battery.