Lithium Iron Battery Recycling

Recycling lithium iron batteries helps reduce the environmental impact of mining for raw materials, decreases hazardous waste in landfills, and prevents potential water and soil contamination.

The main challenges include the complexity of battery design, the variety of materials used, and the need for specialized recycling processes to efficiently recover valuable metals while minimizing environmental impact.

We make it easy for you by picking up your old batteries and handling the recycling for you. And to make the process even smoother, we offer easy payments that are tailored to your needs. So don't let your expired batteries pile up – call us today to start your hassle-free battery recycling process.

Shippers must package any lithium battery shipped for disposal or recycling in a manner that prevents short circuiting and damage to the battery or its terminals in transportation [see § 173.185(b)]. This may be achieved by packing each battery in a fully enclosed inner packaging made of electrically non-conductive material and separating the batteries from each other and other electrically conductive material within the same package.

Additionally, lithium batteries must be packaged in a manner to prevent damage caused by shifting or placement of the batteries in the package.

Protection against short circuiting, damage, and accidental activation are important aspects of packaging. Common methods of protecting batteries against short circuits include placing the cells or batteries in plastic bags or covering exposed terminals. Rather than prescribing the exact package configuration, PHMSA regulations use a performance standard that allows shippers a degree of flexibility in how batteries are packed, provided the requirements are met [see § 173.185(b)].

Inner packaging containing lithium batteries shipped for disposal or recycling may be placed into a strong outer packaging instead of a specification outer packaging. A strong outer packaging is sturdy, durable, and constructed so that it will retain its contents under normal conditions of transportation. Normal conditions of transportation include changes in temperature and humidity, shocks, loadings, and vibrations from package handling and transport. Common examples of strong outer packaging are sturdy fiberboard, metal, or plastic boxes, drums, and gaylord boxes [see Part 173, Subpart B].

Note: for undamaged batteries, multiple batteries may be placed into a single inner packaging, and multiple inner packaging may be placed into the same strong outer packaging, provided the batteries remain protected from short circuits and damage.

Finally, lithium batteries that are damaged such that they have the potential to create sparks or generate a dangerous evolution of heat are subject to additional packaging and hazard communication requirements identified in § 173.185(f) and discussed in greater detail below.

Each completed package (example: sturdy fiberboard, metal, or plastic boxes, drums, and gaylord boxes) containing lithium batteries must display the appropriate markings and labels [see § 173.185].

These markings and labels alert transportation workers, including hazmat employees, throughout the supply chain of the presence of lithium batteries, of the need to handle them properly, and the measures to take in the event of an emergency. 

PHMSA’s Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers contains more detailed guidance on preparing packages of lithium batteries in various configurations and shipping scenarios. 

Packages containing lithium batteries must have proper hazard communication. In general, packages containing lithium batteries shipped in accordance with the HMR require the Class 9 lithium battery label as found in § 172.447.

Some shipments of smaller lithium batteries may qualify for limited flexibility under § 173.185(c).

Yes…

The HMR imposes training requirements that are generally applicable to any employee who prepares, packages, offers, or transports lithium type batteries for recycling or disposal [see §§ 172.700 through 172.704]. 

HAZMAT training [§ 172.704(a)] includes the following components: 

• General awareness/familiarization. 
• Function-specific training. 
• Safety. 
• Security awareness. 

A training program from another Federal or state agency that includes these four HAZMAT components can fulfill the HMR training requirements [§ 172.704(a)]. 

Each entity that employs individuals who prepare, package, offer, or transport lithium batteries is responsible for: 

• Providing training for its employees who prepare, package, offer, or transport lithium batteries (hazmat employees). 
• Testing its hazmat employees. 
• Certifying its hazmat employees’ training. 
• Developing, maintaining, and retaining its hazmat employees’ training records.

Records must be kept for each hazmat employee for the following time frames: 

• Three years from the date of the last training; and, 

• 90 days after the hazmat employee has left the company.