How do I dispose of a swollen lithium-ion battery?

Lithium-ion batteries–new, used, or damaged–should only be disposed off via authorized recycling centers. To locate recycling centers near you, your best bet is to use a recycling location index like Call2Recycle or to call your local city/county hazardous material disposal center.

How do I dispose of a bloated lithium battery?

If the battery is not smoking and appears safe to move, you can take it to an authorized battery collection site or recycling center, which will safely dispose of it. To find your closest facility, visit Call2Recycle.org. You should never put a swollen battery in your trash can or recycling bin.

How do you make a swollen battery go down?

The first thing you should do with a swollen battery is to run your phone's charge down (keeping an eye on the device the whole time), then put it in a cool, dry place while you evaluate your next options.

What to do with a lithium battery that exploded?

For best results dowsing a Li-ion fire, use a foam extinguisher, CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder or soda (sodium carbonate) as you would extinguish other combustible fires. Reserve the Class D extinguishers for lithium-metal fires only.

Can you leave a swollen battery alone?

If you see a swollen or bulging battery, immediately put it in a non-flammable material such as sand or kitty litter in a cool, dry place. DO NOT THROW AWAY. Contact Call2Recycle, the manufacturer or retailer immediately for instructions, especially if the label says it is Lithium or Lithium-Ion.

Lithium battery disposal

Will a swollen battery eventually explode?

A SWOLLEN LITHIUM-ION BATTERY MAY CATCH FIRE OR EXPLODE. PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND AT YOUR OWN RISK WHEN REMOVING A SWOLLEN BATTERY FROM AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO DO SO SAFELY, POWER DOWN AND ISOLATE THE DEVICE, AND CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL REPAIR TECHNICIAN IMMEDIATELY.

Can a dead lithium battery explode?

Lithium-ion batteries are found in many common devices. But under the right (or wrong) conditions, they can catch fire and even explode.

Can you use water to put out a lithium battery fire?

Why it works better than powder, water or foam. Traditional fire extinguishers, such as foam and water, don't work on lithium battery fires. The only way to extinguish a lithium battery fire is to flood the battery with water.

What happens if a lithium battery leaks?

A punctured lithium-ion battery can lead to a serious fire in some cases. Potent electrolytes can leak through the hole, often creating chemical reactions that release heat. This heat can then damage other battery cells, creating a chain reaction of damage. This process is called thermal runaway.

What should you do if a battery explodes?

If the battery explodes ⁠— which is rare, but possible ⁠— you could get this chemical on your skin or clothes or in your eyes. The remedy is to flush with plenty of water. After removing most of the chemical with water, neutralize what remains with vinegar or lemon juice.

Does putting a lithium battery in the freezer?

Yes, some lithium-based batteries can benefit from cold storage when done right. However, that doesn't mean you should store your Battle Born Batteries in the freezer. On the contrary, we recommend fully charging your batteries to 14.4V. Then, completely disconnect them from any kind of power source.

Why do lithium batteries swell up?

What causes batteries to swell? Swollen batteries, while not common, are a significant risk. They are the result of too much current inside a cell of the battery, which causes a build-up of heat and gas. This can be caused by overcharging, manufacturer defect, deep discharge, or damage to the battery.

What causes lithium-ion batteries to swell?

Common causes of battery swelling include: Overcharge conditions which accelerate parasitic reactions between the electrodes and electrolyte, with release of heat and gases. Poor cell quality and design with low anode to cathode stoichiometric ratios, particulate contamination.

How do you neutralize lithium-ion battery acid?

The best way to remove alkaline leakage from the device is to neutralize by carefully dabbing with a few drops of a mild acid like white vinegar or lemon juice. For stubborn leaks, an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar or lemon juice gets the job done.

What happens if you breathe in lithium battery fumes?

Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. ► Exposure to Lithium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Is lithium a hazardous waste?

"Lithium Ion batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste and are safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream," says Kate Krebs at the National Recycling Coalition.

What liquid is in a lithium-ion battery?

Most lithium batteries use a liquid electrolyte such as LiPF6, LiBF4, or LiClO4, in an organic solvent. However, recent advances have made solid ceramic electrolytes–such as lithium metal oxides an option for batteries.

What happens if you submerge a lithium-ion battery in water?

Do not expose the battery to water or moisture. Water can corrode or damage the internal battery safety devices and cause the battery to overheat, ignite, rupture or leak.

Do lithium batteries go off gas?

Off-gassing usually occurs due to a breakdown of a lithium-ion battery cell electrolyte, as a result of pressure buildup. Later, temperature increases, smoke is emitted and then fire breaks out.

Is a swollen battery a fire hazard?

“But it doesn't instantly mean the battery is going to catch on fire.” Even so, swollen batteries can cause issues. They could, for example, damage other parts of a device as they get bigger. A smartphone's fragile screen might crack if an expanding battery puts too much pressure on it.

Does Best Buy take swollen batteries?

Although various companies—including Apple, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowes—recycle batteries, call your local store first to see if they take swollen batteries (they may not be equipped to do so safely).

Is it safe to use a laptop with a swollen battery?

Are swollen lithium-ion batteries dangerous? The general consensus is yes, swollen batteries can be dangerous and can be a fire or explosion hazard. Removing a swollen battery from your laptop can also be perilous, but it's also unsafe to keep running your laptop with one or otherwise leaving it in your laptop.

Can a lithium-ion battery be revived?

When you take it out of the freezer, let it thaw for up to eight hours to restore it to room temperature. Place the Li-ion battery in the charger and charge it fully. Hopefully, its performance will improve, it will take a charge again and last longer between charge cycles.

Can lithium-ion batteries be recycled?

Li-ion batteries, or those contained in electronic devices, should therefore be recycled at certified battery electronics recyclers that accept batteries rather than being discarded in the trash or put in municipal recycling bins.