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Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - Lithium batteries are bursting into flames, starting dangerous, toxic trash fires
Every day, essential workers in recycling and waste management face an escalating threat: fires and explosions sparked by improperly discarded consumer products containing lithium-ion batteries and other hazardous products such as compressed gas cylinders. These fire incidents are no longer isolated — they are becoming alarmingly routine. Without swift, coordinated action from both manufacturers and policymakers, the situation will only grow worse. From laptops and wireless headphones to power tools, e-scooters, vapes and even light-up jackets, today's households are filled with lithium-ion powered products. Add to that other fire hazards — compressed gas cylinders, road flares and other products with explosive potential — and the risk multiplies. When these products end up in household trash or recycling bins, they can and do ignite fires and cause explosions in collection vehicles, materials recovery facilities, landfills and waste-to-energy plants. These fires and explosions endanger essential workers and the public. And the consequences reach even further, because the waste and recycling industry now faces skyrocketing insurance premiums and, increasingly, the risk of becoming altogether uninsurable. Facilities damaged by fires often shut down, sometimes permanently, cutting off critical services that communities and businesses depend on. Recent data confirm this growing crisis. Across North America, publicly reported fires at waste and recycling facilities increased 15 percent in 2024, from 373 incidents in 2023 to 430, according to Fire Rover's annual report — a conservative estimate. Electronics recycling facilities experienced a 56 percent surge in fires last year alone, the highest figure since the company began tracking. This is also an economic and national security issue. A thriving circular economy — one that recycles valuable materials instead of wasting them — supports local jobs, strengthens U.S. manufacturing, protects the free market and reduces our reliance on imported raw materials. At a time when policymakers are working to rebuild resilient domestic supply chains and secure critical minerals for technology and clean energy, investing in safer product management is common sense. We need solutions that prioritize both safety and sustainability. Product design must account for safe, cost-effective end-of-life management, including identifiable and removable batteries (and we should not put products on the market without a sustainable, coordinated end-of-life plan). Further, it's important that we clearly label hazards and provide proper disposal instructions. And finally, we must ensure consumers have accessible alternatives to household disposal— ones that are both free and convenient, ideally through Extended Producer Responsibility systems. These issues have been prioritized by many industries, with 14 leading national organizations, including the Association of Plastic Recyclers, the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management and the Recycled Materials Association, emphasizing the critical need for product, worker and public safety. Manufacturers must take responsibility for the full life cycle of their products, and policymakers must act now to protect workers, communities and critical infrastructure. Without action, the risks — and the costs — will only escalate. The path forward is clear but will require action and the political will to change. Together, we can safeguard public health and worker safety, strengthen recycling systems and build a cleaner, safer and more economically resilient future for all. Heidi Sanborn, MPA, is executive director of the National Stewardship Action Council. Amy Lestition Burke, FASAE, CAE, is CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Lithium batteries are bursting into flames, starting dangerous, toxic trash fires
Every day, essential workers in recycling and waste management face an escalating threat: fires and explosions sparked by improperly discarded consumer products containing lithium-ion batteries and other hazardous products such as compressed gas cylinders. These fire incidents are no longer isolated — they are becoming alarmingly routine. Without swift, coordinated action from both manufacturers and policymakers, the situation will only grow worse. From laptops and wireless headphones to power tools, e-scooters, vapes and even light-up jackets, today's households are filled with lithium-ion powered products. Add to that other fire hazards — compressed gas cylinders, road flares and other products with explosive potential — and the risk multiplies. When these products end up in household trash or recycling bins, they can and do ignite fires and cause explosions in collection vehicles, materials recovery facilities, landfills and waste-to-energy plants. These fires and explosions endanger essential workers and the public. And the consequences reach even further, because the waste and recycling industry now faces skyrocketing insurance premiums and, increasingly, the risk of becoming altogether uninsurable. Facilities damaged by fires often shut down, sometimes permanently, cutting off critical services that communities and businesses depend on. Recent data confirm this growing crisis. Across North America, publicly reported fires at waste and recycling facilities increased 15 percent in 2024, from 373 incidents in 2023 to 430, according to Fire Rover's annual report — a conservative estimate. Electronics recycling facilities experienced a 56 percent surge in fires last year alone, the highest figure since the company began tracking. This is also an economic and national security issue. A thriving circular economy — one that recycles valuable materials instead of wasting them — supports local jobs, strengthens U.S. manufacturing, protects the free market and reduces our reliance on imported raw materials. At a time when policymakers are working to rebuild resilient domestic supply chains and secure critical minerals for technology and clean energy, investing in safer product management is common sense. We need solutions that prioritize both safety and sustainability. Product design must account for safe, cost-effective end-of-life management, including identifiable and removable batteries (and we should not put products on the market without a sustainable, coordinated end-of-life plan). Further, it's important that we clearly label hazards and provide proper disposal instructions. And finally, we must ensure consumers have accessible alternatives to household disposal— ones that are both free and convenient, ideally through Extended Producer Responsibility systems. These issues have been prioritized by many industries, with 14 leading national organizations, including the Association of Plastic Recyclers, the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management and the Recycled Materials Association, emphasizing the critical need for product, worker and public safety. Manufacturers must take responsibility for the full life cycle of their products, and policymakers must act now to protect workers, communities and critical infrastructure. Without action, the risks — and the costs — will only escalate. The path forward is clear but will require action and the political will to change. Together, we can safeguard public health and worker safety, strengthen recycling systems and build a cleaner, safer and more economically resilient future for all. Heidi Sanborn, MPA, is executive director of the National Stewardship Action Council. Amy Lestition Burke, FASAE, CAE, is CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America.
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
It's time for R.I. to reduce litter and reform the way the Ocean State recycles
Advertisement The only landfill in state, the Central Landfill, is expected to be at capacity Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up The same poll also found widespread concern (85 percent) about the litter and waste on Rhode Island shorelines and in the ocean, with 65 percent saying it is of 'great concern.' In the fall of 2023 alone, While the Legislature has debated recycling improvements for years, the need has never been greater. Rhode Island can learn from, and leapfrog, other states by adopting Advertisement EPR is a policy that holds producers — like consumer brands companies — accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, largely by shifting the cost of recycling programs from municipalities to producers. A bottle bill adds a refundable deposit on beverage containers when purchased. This incentivizes consumers to return empty containers in exchange for a refund and Well-designed, modern bottle bill programs reduce litter and consistently achieve beverage container recycling rates of Advertisement As representatives of businesses and Rhode Island-based environmental advocacy organizations, we have come together to advocate for Rhode Island can show the nation that the Ocean State is a leader in smarter, more effective recycling solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy. Steve Alexander is CEO at Association of Plastic Recyclers, Scott Breen is senior vice president of sustainability at Can Manufacturers Institute, Scott DeFife is president at Glass Packaging Institute, Emily Howe is Rhode Island state director at Clean Water Action, and Jed Thorp is director of advocacy at Save the Bay.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Manufacturer unveils innovative solution for everyday household item — here's what consumers can expect
It's not always easy to make sustainable choices in beauty and personal care when products are typically covered in plastic, but one manufacturer recently presented an innovative solution that should make shopping a little less complicated. As detailed by Packaging Strategies, TriMas Packaging announced last month that it has launched a new foaming pump under its patented Singolo product line as the latest addition to its growing line of commercially available, fully recyclable, all-plastic dispensers. The new foaming dispenser was approved by the Association of Plastic Recyclers, and Packaging Strategies explained that it "offers a sustainable alternative to traditional pump designs by incorporating an innovative polymeric spring, replacing a conventional metallic spring, thereby facilitating direct recyclability." The versatility of the dispenser makes it "ideal for a wide range of beauty, personal care, and home care applications, including hand soaps and body washes, hair care products, and kitchen soaps." Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a refillable product? Saving money Reducing plastic waste Using less shelf space at home Getting easy refill deliveries Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The foaming dispenser was designed solely using recyclable plastic materials, which creates a seamless dispensing experience while providing consumers with a clear avenue for reducing plastic waste. "At TriMas Packaging, we are dedicated to advancing sustainability across all aspects of our packaging solutions, and our fully recyclable Singolo product family of dispensers exemplifies our commitment to this effort," Fabio Salik, a TriMas Packaging president, said, per Packaging Strategies. "As a leader in innovative packaging solutions, we prioritize designs that benefit our customers and the environment. This new Singolo foaming dispenser, with its outstanding performance and wide-ranging compatibility, enables our customers' brand owners in beauty, personal care, and home care to deliver exceptional consumer experiences while meeting their sustainability goals." The effort by TriMas Packaging is the latest example of the quest to implement sustainable products that help reduce plastic pollution. Big-name brands such as Sephora have begun offering recycling programs where you can drop off your used beauty containers at select stores to prevent them from ending up in landfills, thereby reducing waste and helping to prevent microplastics from entering our environment. By supporting brands that are genuinely committed to sustainability, you can contribute to a healthier future both for yourself and the planet. When shopping, be sure to look for products with third-party certifications and transparent sourcing practices to ensure you're making a green lifestyle change. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
