Handling expanded Lithium-Ion battery packs

[Sibrows]

In the past 48 hours we've identified a batch of laptops where a number of the batteries have expanded to the point of the front of the cases have started unclipping.

 

Now comes the question; how do others dispose of these batteries? Do you have an consideration for how these are stored while waiting for disposal?

[mavhc]

In general take them to the recycling centre.

 

Possible precautions: Don't store them all next to each other.

 

It's not inherent that they're about to catch fire or convert more of the solid/liquid into gas, that's just what happens when they're charged.

[Oaktech]

I have a bright yellow former 'dangerous materials' chest in the bin store that I nicked from facilities. They get dumped in there wrapped in bubblewrap until we get a WEEE collection.

[Andrew_C]

They count as "trade waste" even if from a school. Whilst the dump might take them, they equally might not. Don't just deposit them in the general battery box, they need to be sorted.

 

Ask your site team, chemistry department, or senior management about their protocols for hazardous waste. Someone must have something in place...

[DavR]

I have a bright yellow former 'dangerous materials' chest in the bin store that I nicked from facilities. They get dumped in there wrapped in bubblewrap until we get a WEEE collection.

 

Do your WEEE collection people take broken batteries? Ours are quite sniffy about touching damaged or otherwise compromised batteries.

 

Or do you just not tell them.....

 

FWIW I dropped my last expanded Li-on battery in the recycling at a our local big supermarket, as my conscience wouldn't have been too pricked had anything gone wrong.

[Oaktech]

Do your WEEE collection people take broken batteries? Ours are quite sniffy about touching damaged or otherwise compromised batteries.

 

Or do you just not tell them.....

 

FWIW I dropped my last expanded Li-on battery in the recycling at a our local big supermarket, as my conscience wouldn't have been too pricked had anything gone wrong.

 

I tell them, they're perfectly happy to take them, they have another contractor they sell on old batteries to.

[dmj]

In the past 48 hours we've identified a batch of laptops where a number of the batteries have expanded to the point of the front of the cases have started unclipping.

 

Now comes the question; how do others dispose of these batteries? Do you have an consideration for how these are stored while waiting for disposal?

 

The manufacturer/distributor must take them back, for free. It shouldn't be your problem.

[Sonic007]

I keep all batteries in a big metal box that can contain a fire.

[Sibrows]

Further to this iFixit have recently published this blog post which some may find interesting: https://www.ifixit.com/News/69041/how-batteries-can-catch-fire-and-how-to-prevent-it