Safe Disposal of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere nowadays. They power everything from electric vehicles, cordless drills, and vapes to smartphones, laptops, watches, digital cameras, and the newest craze: E-bikes.

Most people can use and charge these batteries for years without experiencing a problem.  But with all the convenience these batteries can provide, there are also risks that everyone should understand.

As Superintendent of MARS Sanitation Department and the Landfill, I see firsthand why proper battery disposal is important in preventing fires in garbage collection trucks, dumpsters, and at the landfill.

Lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in dumpsters, garbage totes, or other containers intended for household garbage. When these batteries are collected with regular garbage, they can be crushed, punctured, or damaged by garbage trucks and other equipment. That damage can cause a battery to ignite.

Once a fire starts inside a garbage collection truck, it can quickly become a serious situation for the driver, the equipment, and surrounding property. A battery that makes it to the landfill can also create a fire when it is crushed or damaged by heavy equipment.

For the safety of our employees and equipment, beginning in September, the BASWA (Beatrice Area Solid Waste Agency) Landfill will be starting a new lithium-ion battery collection program. All sizes of lithium-ion batteries can be dropped off at BASWA free of charge. 

When you arrive at the landfill scale house, inform the scale attendant that you have lithium-ion batteries for disposal. Your batteries will be collected, stored in a cool, dry area, and then transported to a collection site in Lincoln for proper disposal.

This new program provides our community with a safe and convenient way to dispose of lithium-ion batteries while helping protect our garbage collection employees, equipment, the landfill, and our community from potentially dangerous fires.

Please help us keep lithium-ion batteries out of your garbage and help protect our garbage collection employees, equipment, the landfill, and our community from potentially dangerous fires.

Jason Moore
Sanitation and Landfill Superintendent