Lithium Ion Battery Disposal
Rely on our total solution of lithium battery disposal logistics and benefit from professional and proper lithium ion battery disposal services such as collection, packaging and transport of lithium ion batteries and accumulators.
So you don’t have to worry about how to properly dispose of a lithium ion battery or correctly dispose of and transport lithium batteries. We take care of the entire lithium ion battery disposal for you!
How do I dispose of a lithium ion battery?
Proper lithium ion battery disposal is required! Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries do NOT belong in household waste or the recycling bin.
Lithium ion batteries must be taken to separate recycling or special waste collection points. To avoid fires, tape off the battery terminals and/or put lithium- ion batteries in separate transport containers.
Your battery disposal is no problem for us:
Tel.: +49 7153 925080
Why lithium ion batteries are so popular
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used in many products such as electronics, toys, wireless headphones, portable electrical appliances, small and large appliances, electric vehicles and electrical power storage.
The increasing demand for Li-ion batteries on the market is mainly due to the high energy density of this battery chemistry. “Energy density” is the amount of energy a system stores in a given area. Lithium batteries can be smaller and lighter than other types of batteries while storing the same amount of energy. This reduction in size has led to more and more consumers using smaller portable and wireless products.
Why are lithium batteries dangerous?
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries contain a variety of chemicals. Lithium is highly reactive and difficult to control. Influences such as high temperatures, too high a voltage during charging, a short circuit or even too heavy a load can cause an exothermic reaction – a chemical reaction in which energy is released by light or heat – in the battery. In short, it can quickly catch fire.
Improper handling of batteries increases the risk of fire, environmental pollution and other negative consequences. If lithium ion batteries are not disposed of properly at the end of their useful life, they may harm human health or the environment.
Why professional and proper lithium ion battery disposal is so important
Lithium-ion batteries are made from materials such as cobalt, graphite and lithium, which are considered critical minerals. Critical minerals are raw materials that are economically and strategically important, at high risk of having their supply disrupted, and for which there are no easy substitutes. If these batteries are thrown in the rubbish, we will lose these critical resources completely.
If the battery or the electronic device containing the battery is disposed of in the rubbish or placed in the municipal recycling bin with household recyclables such as plastic, paper or glass, the battery may be damaged or crushed during transport or at the processing and sorting facilities, creating a fire hazard.
Li-ion batteries or those contained in electronic devices should therefore be recycled at certified battery recyclers that accept batteries, instead of being thrown in the rubbish or municipal recycling bins.
Recycling instead of waste – we know how to handle lithium ion batteries:
Tel.: +49 7153 925080
Lithium ion battery disposal for companies – the right way to do it
For proper lithium ion battery disposal, ensure that the lithium batteries are not exposed to high temperatures or prolonged sunlight. Do not expose the batteries to water or moisture. Handle these batteries carefully and pack them in such a way that the casing is not damaged. This can easily happen if the batteries are stacked without a protective layer or placed under heavy objects. Also make sure that the terminals cannot come into direct contact with each other and ensure that the batteries are properly discharged before further processing. Otherwise, the batteries may burst, catch fire or explode.
If you are a manufacturer, supplier or distributor of non-recyclable electrical equipment, ensure that the batteries are removed from the equipment and stored separately before further recycling. Contact a specialist to remove the batteries if they cannot be easily separated and make sure that the specialised processing plant has the appropriate permits.
For lithium battery disposal and transport, insulate the battery terminals or wires to avoid short circuits and pack the batteries in UN-approved drums or crates (depending on the type). Separate the layers of lithium-ion batteries with dry sand, broken batteries are best packed individually.
What you should not do: Do not dispose of a lithium battery with the “normal” waste. Do not crush or puncture the batteries and do not do anything that could cause the electrodes to touch and cause a short circuit. Do not put damaged and undamaged batteries together in one package. When disposing of lithium batteries, do not store too many batteries together without separating them properly. Doing so creates an increased risk of fire. Do not store discarded lithium-ion batteries indoors, as they are at high risk of short-circuiting and catching fire.
Why is lithium ion battery disposal a challenge?
Disposing of lithium batteries – not so easy. There are three main reasons why the disposal of lithium-ion batteries can be difficult:
- Firstly, in many cases it can be difficult to remove these batteries from the devices as they are firmly connected to the electronics.
- The second reason is that the battery can be very easily damaged during dismantling. For this reason, special tools, procedures and controls are usually required for professional separation and recycling.
- In addition, due to the exothermic reaction at high temperatures, batteries can easily catch fire. High capacity batteries can be discharged to reduce the risk of fire or release of toxic fumes during processing.
Lithium Ion Battery Disposal – Professional with LogBATT
Do not worry about the disposal of lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries, but leave the entire disposal to us! We take care of collecting/storing, packing, transporting and shipping your lithium ion batteries to the recycling plant or to their destination.
Trust in our know-how and already over 8,000 transports of critically defective batteries. We offer you a Europe-wide logistics and battery disposal network, are certified and are constantly developing transport, storage and quarantine boxes. Ask us, we will be happy to make you an offer!
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Lithium Ion Battery Disposal
Are lithium-ion batteries harmful to the environment?
Yes, lithium-containing batteries and accumulators have a great hazard potential – both for humans and for the environment. If the batteries or accumulators catch fire, ingredients such as fluorine-containing or phosphorus-containing conducting salts can be released. These can be irritating, corrosive or toxic gaseous substances release substances that pose a high risk to your health and to the environment. Therefore, it is also important not to reuse or open damaged and leaking Li batteries and accumulators. Proper
lithium ion battery disposal is therefore indispensable!
What happens to broken lithium batteries?
You can recognise broken or damaged lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries by the fact that they are swollen, deformed, outgassed or leaking. A greasy film or deposits on the terminals can also be an indication of damage. Do not use such batteries or rechargeable batteries under any circumstances and do not open them! Otherwise you risk spontaneous combustion or an explosion.
Dispose of broken batteries and rechargeable batteries immediately. Speak to the specialist staff at the lithium ion battery disposal about the damage. For transport, we recommend using a special box that you can fill with sand – this keeps the batteries dry. Tape the terminals to avoid short circuits and pack broken batteries individually.
Where do I dispose of lithium batteries?
One thing is clear: batteries and rechargeable batteries have no place in household waste. You can dispose of a lithium battery in the designated collection boxes or at municipal collection points. Or you can have them conveniently collected by us. We take care of everything else around the entire lithium ion battery disposal.
How are lithium-ion batteries disposed of? How are lithium batteries disposed of?
Lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of properly. The customer is responsible for the disposal of lithium-ion batteries. A risk analysis must be carried out in advance so that the old batteries can be transported safely. Depending on the hazard potential, the batteries must be packed explosion-proof during transport. For disposal, the lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries should be discharged as best as possible and the terminals should be taped. Damaged batteries should be packed individually.
If you wish, we can take care of all your battery logistics and proper lithium-ion battery disposal for you: from collection to packaging and transport to shipment to the recycling plant. So you can be sure that your batteries are transported and disposed of properly.
What happens to batteries after disposal?
Batteries are collected at special locations or collected by your battery transport company and transported to recycling facilities. There they are sorted and separated into their components, if possible, and recycled. For example, stainless steel can be made from waste products such as steel and nickel. Disposable batteries often still have to be landfilled because they contain mercury.