New guide offers best practices for MRFs to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), and the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) released a joint "Guide for Developing Lithium-Ion Battery Management Practices at Materials Recovery Facilities" to offer practical steps for materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to better identify, manage, and respond to improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries. 

As lithium-ion batteries become more common in everyday household products, the waste and recycling industry continues to face a growing number of fires linked to batteries entering the residential waste and recycling stream. The draft guide outlines operational practices, employee training considerations, storage and handling procedures, customer messaging, and emergency response planning to support safer facility operations. 

Experts in the field provide guidance for growing problem 

"The rise in lithium-ion battery fires is one of the most urgent safety issues facing the waste and recycling sector," said Amy Lestition Burke, CEO of SWANA. "This guide provides a strong foundation for MRFs as they build or strengthen their management practices. Our goal is to equip operators with actionable information about reducing risk, including battery identification within the facility and what to do in case of a fire to support better informed and safer working environments." 

"This guide reflects the shared commitment across our industry to protect workers and strengthen safety at every stage of operations," said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of NWRA. "Lithium-ion batteries pose real challenges for our workers, neighborhoods, and families, and this collaborative effort provides practical guidance facilities can use today. It also underscores why public awareness is so important, which is why NWRA will launch a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign in January featuring Woodsy Owl to help consumers understand how to properly handle and dispose of batteries."  

"Recycling operations are seeing more lithium-ion batteries than ever before, often hidden inside everyday items and placed in the wrong recycling streams, where they pose significant fire risks," said Robin Wiener, president of ReMA. "By leveraging the collective expertise of our organizations, this guide delivers a consistent, safety-first approach to detecting and managing batteries that have been misplaced in curbside bins by consumers. It also highlights the need for continued consumer education on how to properly and safely recycle batteries through dedicated battery recycling drop-off and mail-in programs, thus returning critical minerals to supply chains." 

The guide supports broader industry efforts to reduce battery-related fires, including NWRA's upcoming national PSA campaign, "Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!", launching in January during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The PSA will focus on consumer education about identifying battery-containing products and using proper drop-off options to keep them out of the waste and recycling stream.