Important Info About Westchester’s New Lithium Ion Battery Initiative
Courtesy of County Legislator Erika Pierce
Do you know how many lithium ion batteries you have in your home? From rechargeable batteries for small devices like our TV remotes, to our phones, laptops and larger items like scooters and bikes, they are everywhere. Step one is getting informed. Please watch this short video.
Lithium ion batteries, commonly found in everyday items like cell phones and laptops, can pose serious fire hazards if not charged and disposed of properly. Westchester County has already experienced lithium-ion battery fires with e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, laptops, a lawnmower and a drone. In New York City, several fires have resulted in fatalities. Fires can occur because of damaged or defective batteries, from charging on soft surfaces or on hot surfaces, or even from leaving these items in a hot car, a real issue in the summer. These fires are dramatic and dangerous.
Westchester’s new comprehensive Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Program includes:
- proposed legislation requiring point of sale warnings and safety information,
- requirements that devices meet UL safety standards,
- prohibition on the sale of re-assembled or damaged batteries, and
- public education, Firefighter training, and disposal options for damaged and old batteries.
To ensure the safety of our community, we strongly urge you to properly dispose of lithium ion batteries at designated locations. Residents can drop these items off at the H-MRF (free for Mount Kisco residents who are in the county’s waste district, a small charge for the rest of the district, and a great place to drop off a variety of household items.) In addition, Call2Recycle’s website provides a list of local business addresses where you can drop off these batteries for safe disposal.
Other important guidance includes:
- When transporting damaged lithium-ion batteries, package them safely for transport by placing them in sand or kitty litter
- Extra-large lithium-ion batteries, such as those used for electric vehicles, are not accepted at the H-MRF. Contact the manufacturer for safe disposal options of these batteries.
In addition, take care in purchasing batteries. Make certain they are new, UL certified batteries purchased from reputable sources. Avoid sketchy sources – and be careful when ordering on line. It is super important to know that batteries can catch fire even when not in use, a fact that surprised me, and even when they are discharged. Residents should always contact the local fire department if there is a thermal event (sparking or fire) from a lithium-ion battery.