National campaign encourages proper disposal of lithium batteries
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Used batteries, they power everything from kids toys to remotes, but experts say once they go dead, they shouldn’t end up in the trash.
According to national agencies the US is seeing an increasing issue with accidents related to batteries, now a campaign is urging that residents know how to properly store old batteries before it’s too late.
Michael Hoffman is the President and CEO of the National Waste and Recycling Association. He says the lithium battery market is growing rapidly, and with that comes more safety risks, thousands of fires happen each year because of lithium batteries. Fredericktown Missouri’s Critical Mineral Recovery battery plant saw one of the biggest explosions related to batteries in 2024, which started from a bad lithium battery and rapidly spread.
“We have a fire every single day, in every state, in the waste and recycling infrastructure. So, in a truck, at a transfer station, in a recycling facility, at a landfill, in every state, every single day” says Hoffman.
To help combat this issue a campaign is being encouraged to properly dispose of batteries, ‘Skip the bin turn your batteries in’ campaign and website has a locater map that shows you where to take your used batteries to be disposed of properly, lots of staples, Lowes or Walmart locations have drop off sites.
“Our message to the public is that that risk exists in your home, to your waste employee, to your EMS, fire and safety every day that you don’t handle these properly and so please skip your bin, turn the batteries and tape the ends. Bring them to our location. We will recycle them” says Hoffman.
