Solid waste committee bans lithium batteries from library recycling collection bins

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Solid Waste Policy Committee voted this morning to ban lithium batteries from battery recycling collection bins in the county’s public libraries because of the explosion and fire hazard they pose when they discharge rapidly and overheat.

However, other types of batteries will continue to be accepted in the library bins, said Lou Vega, county recycling director.

Signs will be posted in libraries reflecting the new policy, Vega said.

Because of the potential hazard, county Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti told the committee she was uncomfortable with lithium batteries being collected in libraries and stored in the Oakhill Renaissance Place basement awaiting shipment to a battery recycling center.

Lithium batteries, which are clearly labelled as such, are used in cellular phones, drones, hoverboards and many other devices, Vega said.

The recycling division intends to continue to collect lithium batteries at special events, such as its annual household hazardous waste collection at the Canfield Fairgrounds and electronic appliance recycling drives, Vega said.

Vega said his recommendation that the committee impose the ban, effective immediately, stems from a lithium battery fire late last year at a Grove City, Pa., recycling center.

“It burns so hot that it causes the other batteries around it to also catch fire,” he said of a burning lithium battery.

“It burns so hot that modern fire suppression equipment doesn’t put it out,” he added.