Publish Date: February 18, 2026
Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the waste and recycling stream pose a serious hazard to our industry. Fortunately, there are practical, everyday steps we can all take to improve battery safety.
Follow these tips for safe battery handling:
- Follow manufacturer instructions for storage, use, charging, and maintenance of LIBs.
- Check battery-powered devices often for signs of damage, such as swelling, excessive heat, or strange odor.
- Take old or damaged batteries to your nearest battery recycling center for proper disposal — not in municipal trash or recycling bins.
Share battery safety best practices with your family and friends and take extra care when handling batteries at home and on the job.
The Battery Network (formerly call2recycle) has a drop off location tool, searchable by zip code that you can visit by following this link.
