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Having ways for residents and businesses to properly disposing/recycling Hazardous and Special Waste (HSP) is essential to protecting Essex Windsor's:
Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) can be corrosive, flammable, explosive or poisonous. These items must not be consumed or placed in the garbage, recycling or any diversion program, or poured down the drain, toilet or sewer. When hazardous items are improperly disposed of, it will negatively affect the local environment and harms humans and animals in the Essex-Windsor region and beyond.
Note: Lithium-ion batteries can be a fire hazard and should NEVER be placed out for curbside collection (garbage, yard waste, green bin, or recycling). Lithium-ion batteries should always be dropped off at an EWSWA Depot (for free) to be recycled and disposed of properly.
Visit one of three EWSWA Depots today to see how easy, convenient and worry free it is for you to do what’s right by recycling/disposing of your hazardous and special products safely at an EWSWA Depot.
One Lithium-Ion Battery Can Cause a Fire
Lithium-ion batteries power many of the rechargeable devices we use every day.
From cell phones and laptops to wireless earbuds, power banks, cordless tools, rechargeable toys, smart watches, vapes, and e-bikes, lithium-ion batteries are found throughout our homes.
When lithium-ion batteries are placed in garbage, recycling carts, Green Bins, or yard waste, they can become damaged during collection and processing. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can overheat, spark, and cause fires, and potentially harm workers.
The good news? Recycling lithium-ion batteries is easy.
Residents can drop off lithium-ion batteries at an EWSWA Depot when they are done with them to ensure they are safely handled.
What Are Lithium-Ion Batteries?
Lithium-ion batteries are found in portable and rechargeable products. They store a large amount of energy in a small, lightweight package.
Some examples of lithium-ion batteries are found in cell phones, rechargeable battery packs, and common power tools.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires Happen
Lithium-ion batteries contain a large amount of stored energy.
When lithium-ion batteries are used and handled properly, they generally operate safely. However, if a lithium-ion battery becomes damaged, crushed, punctured, overheated, and/or exposed to excessive physical stress, it can become unstable.
A damaged lithium-ion battery may generate heat, release smoke, produce sparks, or ignite. In some circumstances, a fire can spread quickly because of the energy stored within the battery.
This can lead to a chemical reaction known as "thermal runaway," which can cause:
Unlike many other household fires, lithium-ion battery fires can ignite very quickly and burn at extremely high temperatures.
Lithium-ion batteries can become damaged when they are placed in curbside collection programs during collection, transportation, and processing.
Lithium-Ion Battery Frequently Asked Questions
Why Shouldn't Lithium-Ion Batteries Go in Garbage, Recycling, Green Bins or Yard Waste?
During collection and processing, batteries can be:
Battery-related fires can occur in:
How can I tell if a toy contains a lithium-ion battery?
Many newer toys contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
A quick way to identify them is to look for a charging port or charging cord.
What should I do if a lithium-ion battery is damaged?
A damaged battery should be handled with caution.
Common signs of damage include:
If a battery appears damaged:
If a battery is smoking, sparking, or actively burning, move away from the area and contact emergency services if necessary.
Why Are Battery Fires Becoming More Common?
Lithium-ion batteries are found in more household products than ever before. Over the past decade, rechargeable batteries have become common in items that were once powered by cords or disposable batteries.
Today, lithium-ion batteries can be found in:
As the number of battery-powered products continues to grow, so does the number of batteries entering the waste stream.
What happens to batteries after they are recycled?
When lithium-ion batteries are recycled, they are collected, sorted, and processed at specialized recycling facilities. The batteries are dismantled and treated to recover valuable materials, which may include:
These materials are refined and reused in the manufacture of new batteries, electronics, and other products. Recycling lithium-ion batteries helps conserve natural resources, reduces the need for new mining, and keeps potentially hazardous materials out of landfills. It also supports a circular economy by returning valuable materials back into the supply chain for future use.
I can't get to the EWSWA Depot. What are my options?
Residents have several options for recycling batteries.
In addition to the EWSWA Depots, batteries can often be recycled through participating battery retail drop-off locations.
Residents can use online drop-off locators, such as Recycle Your Batteries, to find a drop-off location near them!
Contact Us
Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority
360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 211
Essex, ON N8M 3G4
Customer Service Support
1-800-563-3377
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