The same technology that has made modern electronics more portable and efficient has also introduced new challenges for the recycling industry. As lithium-ion batteries become increasingly common in everything from laptops and smartphones to backup power systems and electric vehicles, organizations must give greater consideration to how these devices are managed at the end of their useful lives.
For recyclers, IT asset disposition (ITAD) providers, and organizations managing large fleets of electronics, lithium-ion batteries have become one of the most important considerations in responsible e-waste management.
Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Require Special Handling
Unlike many other components found in electronic devices, lithium-ion batteries store significant amounts of energy even after a device is no longer in use. When batteries become damaged, improperly stored, exposed to heat, punctured, crushed, or short-circuited, they can enter a process known as thermal runaway. During thermal runaway, heat builds rapidly inside the battery, potentially causing fire, release of flammable gases, or ignition of neighboring battery cells.
This risk is one reason why lithium-ion batteries are subject to special handling, storage, transportation, and recycling requirements throughout their lifecycle.
The Challenge for Recycling Programs
The modern recycling stream was not originally designed around products that contain high-density rechargeable batteries. Today, many batteries arrive at recycling facilities hidden inside devices or mixed with general electronics. If these batteries are damaged during collection, transportation, sorting, or processing, they can create safety hazards for employees, equipment, and facilities.
As lithium-ion battery use continues to climb, recyclers across the industry have invested in new procedures and safety protocols to address these evolving risks.
Fires Related to Lithium-ion Batteries
The risks associated with lithium-ion batteries aren’t theoretical. Across North America, recycling facilities, transfer stations, and waste management operations have reported a significant increase in fires linked to improperly discarded batteries and battery-powered devices.
According to Fire Rover’s annual industry report, waste and recycling facilities in the United States and Canada experienced a record 448 publicly reported fires in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 430 incidents in 2024 and running nearly 25% above the historical annual average.
Industry data suggests the problem is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. As rechargeable batteries become increasingly common, recyclers continue to adapt their safety procedures to address a growing and evolving risk. Multiple industry reports have described lithium-ion battery fires as one of the most significant safety challenges facing modern waste and recycling operations.
As the number of battery-powered devices in circulation continues to grow, industry experts expect battery management and fire prevention to remain major priorities for organizations, recyclers, and even transportation providers.
What Businesses Should Know
Organizations often focus on data security when retiring electronic devices, and rightly so, but battery management deserves equal attention.
A comprehensive IT asset disposition strategy should account for the following:
- Identification of battery-containing devices
- Safe collection and storage procedures
- Regulatory transportation requirements
- Documentation and chain of custody
- Responsible downstream recycling partners
By incorporating battery management into broader ITAD planning, organizations can reduce risk while supporting sustainability and compliance objectives. Just as organizations track assets and data throughout the disposition process, battery-containing devices should be identified and managed appropriately to help prevent avoidable safety issues.
Not all battery-containing devices can be managed through the same recycling process. Depending on a battery’s size, chemistry, condition, and energy capacity, specialized handling, packaging, transportation, or recycling requirements may apply. Certain high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, damaged batteries, and loose battery packs may require additional precautions or may not be accepted through standard electronics recycling programs. Understanding these requirements before equipment is retired can help organizations avoid compliance issues, transportation challenges, and unnecessary safety risks.
While most consumer electronics contain relatively small lithium-ion batteries, larger applications such as e-bikes, electric scooters, backup power systems, and electric vehicles may contain significantly higher-capacity batteries that require additional handling and transportation considerations.
The Future of Electronics Recycling
As lithium-ion battery technology evolves, organizations, regulators, and fire safety professionals continue to refine best practices for storage and transportation. This reflects both the unique characteristics of lithium-ion battery fires and the increasingly important role these batteries play across modern infrastructure.
Responsible IT asset disposition and electronics recycling is always about more than recovering materials. It is about protecting employees, transportation providers, recyclers, and communities while supporting environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance. Organizations that plan for safe end-of-life battery management will be better positioned to reduce risk and support a safer electronics recycling ecosystem.
To learn more, contact us at (412) 390-3450 or inquiries@evolutionecycling.com.