Safe Lithium Battery Disposal

They’re in our smartphones, laptops and wrist watches. They also power our weed eaters and power drills. They are in many everyday items because they provide more energy than other types of batteries, last longer and are rechargeable. Many of us enjoy the benefits of lithium batteries, but are unaware of the hidden dangers if they are thrown in the trash or recycling bin.

In the past two months, Spokane’s Waste to Energy Facility has had two fires on its tipping floor caused by lithium batteries. Fires in collection trucks recently also may have been caused by these batteries. So how should you dispose of batteries in Spokane? You actually have several options. First of all you can always take all of your batteries to the Household Hazardous Waste drop off area of any transfer station. There is no cost for residents to drop off batteries at these locations. Many large box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s also take rechargeable batteries at drop boxes inside their stores. Collection drivers in the City of Spokane still take batteries that are left in clear plastic bags on top of blue recycling carts (never put them inside).

So what items do you need to be careful disposing of so that you don’t end up causing a major fire on your next garbage pick-up day? Laptops, e-Cigarettes and vape pens, smartphones, watches, and rechargeable power tool batteries are just a few items to look out for. As you buy rechargeable items, check for disposal information which may just appear as a trash can with a “X” through it. This indicates that it probably has a lithium-ion battery and must be managed separately. The only way to truly prevent these fires is to manage your batteries properly. Know before you throw and for more information check out spokanecity.org and search for solid waste.