Risk Management and Safety reminds of proper Li-ON battery disposal

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, issued a report on fires caused by lithium-ion, or Li-ION, batteries in waste management systems. The study found that there were more than 240 fires at 64 facilities caused by improperly disposed of Li-ION batteries.

The most common sources of Li-ION batteries are consumer devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops and e-cigarettes.

Click here to read the report.

Risk Management and Safety wants to remind the Auburn community that these types of batteries should not be disposed of in regular household trash and should be handled separately.

From the EPA:

To be managed properly for recycling or disposal, lithium-ion batteries should be bagged individually and have their terminals taped, and should not be placed in household trash and recycling bins. Lithium-ion batteries and batteries in consumer tools or devices should be brought to household hazardous waste collection facilities or electronics recyclers.

For recycling batteries on campus, please refer to Auburn’s Battery Recycling Program from the Office of Sustainability and RMS where you will find drop-off locations and contacts.