Campbell, California
A recycling company in California has been fined $25,000 for the illegal disposal of lithium-ion batteries. iDiskk, a firm based in San Jose, has agreed to pay the civil penalties as part of a settlement with the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The firm was accused of causing dangerous garbage truck fires to start, stemming from improperly disposed batteries.
Executives of iDiskk, Yue Zou and Lei Zhang, have been held responsible for the unlawful disposal of lithium-ion batteries after dismantling consumer electronics. According to a press release, the business processed electronics returned through Amazon. The partners have agreed to a permanent injunction that prohibits them from future disposal of hazardous waste. The press release also states that they will be held liable for any future violations.
Fires Erupt in Garbage Trucks
iDiskk LLC was investigated after a series of fires broke out in garbage trucks after making pickups at the company’s facilities. On September 22nd, October 6th, and October 13th, 2021, garbage trucks that had made these pickups burst into flames shortly thereafter. A google street view of the iDiskk headquarters reveals what appears to be an ordinary suburban home, situated on quiet tree-lined street. However, after local law enforcement conducted an investigation, enormous bags of lithium-ion batteries were found to be mixed in with usual recyclable materials. The trash bins were then emptied into garbage trucks, condensing the materials which caused the fires to spark. Luckily, no injuries were reported in any of the fires.
During the October 13th blaze, the garbage truck operator lifted the trash bin, attempting to dump its contents into the street, to avoid damaging a vehicle. The truck unintentionally hit overhead power lines, causing a utility pole to break which required extensive repairs. Deputy District Attorney Christopher Judge said the lawsuit exemplifies the risks of improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries, as “these fires are incredibly dangerous to the safety of the garbage truck drivers and first responders who must then act quickly to deal with the fire.” Further stating that, “This case demonstrates the risks of throwing lithium-ion batteries away in the regular trash or recycling.”
Prosecutors just announced that Zou and Zhang have cooperated with the investigation and have taken steps to improve compliance with environmental protection laws.
Battery Disposal Solutions
Batteries are the leading cause of fires in the waste stream, and recycling centers are struggling to keep up. A 2018 survey of recycling facilities by the California Product Safety Council found that 83 percent of 26 facilities had a fire in the two years prior, and 65 percent of them were caused by batteries. A study in MDPI by Austrian professors found that, amid increased numbers of fires and significant potential for damage, “No other substance or material has ever comparably endangered the whole waste industry” as discarded portable batteries.
There are a few options to safely dispose of batteries, depending on what is available in any given region. Many stores that sell electronics will also take used batteries for recycling. Otherwise, individuals can wait until local governments host a hazardous waste event, or better yet purchase a recycling box from a certified ITAD service.
Individuals and corporations of any size should consider utilizing an IT asset disposition service to manage e-waste. ITAD providers are equipped to handle virtually any end-of-life electronic. IT asset disposition services ensure that hazardous materials are discarded in a regulated manner, guaranteeing the safety of all involved. Consumers and businesses need to ensure that harmful materials are properly discarded, rendering ITAD services a necessity in today’s technology-driven world.
