(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Lithium ion batteries have been blamed for a growing number of fires, including a recent one in New York that killed four people. Now, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) wants to make sure people properly care for and recycle their batteries.
An EREF survey monitored fires at recycling centers going back years.
“Ninety-seven percent of all the recycling facilities that we surveyed have experienced at least one fire over the last five years,” said EREF President Bryan Staley. The growing fraction of the causes of those fires relates to lithium ion batteries.”
The frequency of fires at recycling facilities has prompted many operators to add protections, including keeping 24-hour security on site.
“A lot of recycling facilities in the Chicagoland area and elsewhere have become de facto fire management officials, as well, because this happens so often,” he said.
Staley said lithium ion batteries that have been dropped, overcharged or poorly made are more likely to catch fire.
“You think of the inside of the battery; there’s a membrane, and if that membrane is damaged, that can cause what’s called a thermal runaway reaction,” he said.
Consumers can buy lipo-safe bags and certain fire extinguishers for batteries at home, and when they’re done with them, Staley said it’s best to recycle them at household hazardous waste facilities, which are run by various municipalities.
“They’re called HCCRFs — Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Facilities — and you can take those batteries there, where they’ll be properly recycled,” he said.
A list of recycling locations can be found here.
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