From smartphones and laptops to even some cars, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere. But if you’re a business that stores or needs to discard them, what should you do?
Government regulations place clear guidelines for businesses regarding the disposal, storage, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
This guide is meant to help you understand what regulations you need to follow, how to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries, and why you should work with a dedicated hazardous waste disposal company to avoid costly fines.
EPA Regulations for Lithium-Ion Batteries
The most recent guidance from the EPA regarding lithium-ion batteries clarified that batteries at the end of their life qualify as hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), primarily due to ignitability and reactivity characteristics.
To reduce regulatory burden in many cases, the EPA’s guidance states that lithium-ion batteries may be managed as Universal Waste under 40 C.F.R. Part 273 until they reach a destination facility for recycling or disposal. This gives generators and other handlers streamlined requirements for labelling, storage, employee training, and accumulation limits.
But, once batteries arrive at a destination facility (i.e., a recycler or permitted treatment or disposal facility), or if the battery is damaged with a breach in individual cell casing, the universal waste option no longer applies, and full hazardous waste requirements must kick in.
Recycling facilities are exempt from some RCRA hazardous waste permitting requirements for preparation activities: removing batteries from devices, discharging, and disassembling into cells/modules.
If storage of waste batteries occurs for too long, an RCRA hazardous waste storage permit may become necessary. EPA leaves “too long” undefined, often depending on state or regional interpretation.
The use/reuse exemption is another key section.
Batteries that are being legitimately reused, repurposed, repaired, or evaluated for reuse (with a “reasonable expectation” of reuse) are not considered discarded wastes under RCRA until the point when they are determined to be unusable. After that, they must be regulated (often as universal waste or hazardous waste).
The EPA’s guidance highlights that many states have their own delegated RCRA programs, and some may impose more stringent requirements than the federal baseline.
It’s important to check both your local and federal regulations for complete information.
The Dangers of Improper Disposal
Throwing away a lithium-ion battery, or in most of our customers’ cases, many lithium-ion batteries, isn’t as simple as throwing them into a dumpster and going on their way.
Because these batteries contain flammable and reactive metals, there is a high likelihood of a thermal runaway if they become crushed or punctured.
Thermal runaways are a chain reaction that ends with a battery catching fire, or in the worst-case scenarios, exploding.
Between 2013 and 20202, the EPA reported that lithium-ion batteries were the cause of more than 245 fires in U.S. waste facilities.
While the incidents varied in size and damage, some of the reported fires shut down business operations for days and caused millions of dollars in property damage.
It’s not surprising that fire departments now list improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries as one of the greatest fire risks.
But it isn’t just about the risk to your business; improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries hurt the environment.
Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals found in batteries can leach into soil and groundwater when dumped in landfills, creating long-term contamination hazards.
We should also note that improper disposal can lead to OSHA violations if batteries pose hazards to employees.
There have been instances where Insurance companies denied claims when fires were linked to non-compliant battery handling.
As your business grows and increases the number of batteries in your facility, so grow the fire and environmental risks that go along with it. Properly disposing of lithium-ion batteries can be the difference between millions of dollars in damages and fines and a successful business.
How to Dispose of Lithium-Ion Batteries
The EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) states that used lithium-ion batteries must be classified and managed as hazardous waste unless they are sent for recycling.
Companies must store and dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely, and according to the laws, otherwise they risk fines and liability (along with all of the environmental and fire risks).
To properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries, there are some best practices encouraged by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
First, you will want to store batteries separately in non-conductive containers, away from flammable materials.
Second, tape terminals or place each battery in an individual plastic bag to prevent short circuits.
Third, never compact or crush batteries, even when transporting them.
Finally, work with a hazardous waste collection company like HWH Environmental instead of municipal trash pickup to ensure all of the proper safety and regulation precautions are taken care of.
Companies that generate large quantities of lithium-ion battery waste require certified hazardous waste transporters to manage collection, hazardous waste labeling, documentation, and recycling in compliance with federal and state regulations.
This way, your business can focus on the business while the trained hazardous waste companies can focus on the disposal.
The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Recycling
The Department of Energy’s ReCell Center reports that recycling can recover up to 95% of valuable materials such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium. This reduces the need for new mining and protects the environment.
These recovered materials can be reused to manufacture new batteries.
For businesses, partnering with hazardous waste disposal and recycling services turns your lithium-ion batteries from waste to a resource.
Depending on the business, there might even be government rebates or reduced hazardous waste disposal fees when recycling batteries instead of discarding them.
For more information, speak with a hazardous waste disposal company.
The HWH Environmental Solution
Like any hazardous waste, lithium-ion battery storage, recycling, and disposal are complex and tricky.
HWH Environmental provides businesses with a safe and compliant way to handle hazardous waste from cradle to the grave.
Our team specializes in working with businesses like yours to offer collection and disposal services for all lithium-ion batteries.
Partner with the hazardous waste expert you can trust. Contact HWH Environmental today.
