"Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are found in many devices we use every day, like smartphones, laptops, tablets, wireless earbuds, power tools, e-bikes, and electric vehicles. By 2023, there were more than 40 million electric vehicles on the road worldwide, and billions of portable electronics used Li-ion cells. These batteries are valuable for recycling, but they can be dangerous if not disposed of correctly."
"Lithium-ion batteries are the biggest fire risk in the waste and recycling system. A 2024 report from the National Waste & Recycling Association found that U.S. recycling facilities have more than 5,000 fires each year, many caused by lithium batteries thrown away incorrectly. From 2022 to 2025, f acility fires increased by 26% compared to the 2016-2021 average, mostly because more batteries are ending up in the waste stream."
Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday devices including smartphones, laptops, earbuds, power tools, e-bikes, and electric vehicles. By 2023 there were over 40 million electric vehicles and billions of portable electronics using Li-ion cells. The Li-ion recycling market exceeded $7 billion in 2024 and could reach $24 billion by 2032 due to demand for battery minerals. Recycled materials like cobalt, nickel, lithium, and graphite can be reused for new batteries. Increasing numbers of batteries in waste streams raise fire risks for recycling workers and households. Damaged or crushed Li-ion cells can trigger thermal runaway and ignite nearby materials. Disposable vaping devices with thin cases add growing risk.
Read at Earth911
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