How to Dispose of Lithium Batteries – Safety and Methods

Lithium batteries are non-rechargeable cells that are commonly used in various conventional electronic devices like digital cameras. They may be classified as non-hazardous, making them safe for recycling but need to be disposed of correctly; otherwise, they’ll be hazardous waste materials. One should know how to safely dispose of these batteries and the consequences of ignoring the guidelines to the environment.

Are lithium batteries hazardous waste material?

Lithium batteries are indeed hazardous waste materials. This is because the cells contain small amounts of highly reactive chemicals as well as flammable liquids that can ignite when sparks are present. When the battery is damaged, shorted, or even exposed to elevated temperatures, they get overheated and go through thermal runaway. This leads to a chain reaction of chemicals and, finally, battery failure. In lithium cells, these failures build up much pressure within the cells, causing them to release toxic gases, smoke, and even spark into flames and explosions. The results can harm not only the environment but also the people around it. Lithium batteries contain lithium metal itself, which reacts negatively when intimidated by harsh disposal conditions.

Can you dispose of lithium batteries in the garbage?

No! Lithium batteries should be kept away from the garbage because such environments contain a lot of threatening materials that can react with the batteries dangerously. Firstly, lithium batteries have lithium metal in them. When the metal comes into contact with water, there is an extreme exothermal reaction that generates too much heat. This heat can lead to fires that can spread to other surrounding areas.

Also, these batteries can develop very high and sudden current when they come into contact with other metal surfaces in the garbage. This current builds pressure within the cells and can cause a significant explosion. Lastly, the lithium in these batteries is toxic to our health and especially when the cells start leaking toxic gases.

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How do you dispose of lithium batteries?

Lithium batteries contain hazardous materials and chemicals within their cells, and this makes them dangerous to the environment and you as well. These cells need to be carefully disposed of in the right manner lest they cause harm to the environment and its inhabitants. Therefore, throwing these batteries into your trash can is dangerous to the environment around you. You are required to follow the procedure below on how to dispose of these harmful batteries properly.

Step 1. Looking for a recycling center

This step involves a series of other significant guidelines that include:

1.Keep your batteries away from your trash can

It doesn’t matter whether you intend to throw it in a recycle bin because as long as it’s a trash can, you need to keep the batteries away from it. The reason for this is that batteries are usually recycled differently from other materials. Therefore, mixing the cells with others can lead to sparks when they come into contact with metal surfaces. Ultimately, a fire can start from your trash and spread to other areas. However much a battery may seem dead or may have lost its charge completely, it is still capable of igniting a spark and flame.

2.Look for a store that collects the batteries

Various stores collect batteries from consumers and recycle them appropriately. These stores tend to collect the cells for free, thus, encouraging consumers to donate their dead lithium cells actively. They only charge a small fee for specific types of batteries and limit the number of batteries you can take at a time. You can look for an appropriate store that collects and recycles the batteries online.

3.Inquire about battery collection in your area from the community center or library

If you don’t find anything online about the targeted stores, you can look for them in the library or inquire from your community center.

4.Take the batteries to a hazardous waste center

Various local governments offer collection services for hazardous waste materials from citizen households. These materials also include batteries such as lithium cells because they are deemed as hazardous waste. You can take your lithium batteries to these centers is your area has one.

Step 2. Turning in your lithium batteries

Before you turn in your lithium batteries, there are a few measures you need to take to ensure that they are safe for transportation or storage before handing over for collection.

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1.Confirm that lithium batteries are collected and check for any fee

Once you find your hazardous waste center, you need to call and confirm whether they collect lithium batteries. This is because some of these centers collect specific kinds of cells for free but have a fee for some of the more hazardous ones like lithium batteries.

2.Prepare the batteries for disposal.

Preparation involves a few measures that include:

• Tape the end terminals using electrical tape because the batteries are capable of sparking when they come into contact with any metallic object.

• Place the cells in a clear plastic bag in case you don’t have the tape. However, you should not place more than one battery in a single bag because this can cause shorting when the terminals come into contact and cause sparks.
  

• Place the bags or taped batteries in a vented plastic container or cardboard box with enough aeration. Dead lithium batteries can give out gases that should escape into the atmosphere because if accumulated, they build up pressure causing dire consequences. Ensure the box or bag is not airtight.
  

• Keep the batteries away from other cells and in a cool, dry place until the day of disposal.
  

3.Take the batteries to the collection site and ensure you carry enough funds to cover the fee, if any. Also, know the limit to the number of batteries you can take out because some collection centers have these set limits. For example, they may not allow you to take more than 5 batteries at a time.

Conclusion

The above information is enough to guide you on how to dispose of the lithium batteries appropriately. Follow the instruction carefully and get rid of your lithium batteries correctly to protect the environment from waste pollution.