Battery Collection Best Practices Toolkit
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About the Toolkit
The Battery Collection Best Practices Toolkit is a web-based repository of materials that provides information on battery collection efforts across the country. To fulfill obligations under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, EPA developed this toolkit to help state, Tribal, and local governments improve or create battery collection programs. The toolkit includes materials that are practical, technically and economically feasible, environmentally sound, and safe for waste management workers—and that maximize the value and reuse of recovered materials. EPA also offers the Model Recycling Program Toolkit as an additional resource focused on all types of recyclables to support communities in improving recycling programs.
How to Use the Toolkit
To navigate the toolkit, use the search criteria to filter by battery format, resource type, focus area, and community characteristics. Materials in the toolkit include:
- Case studies that highlight how communities and government agencies in different regions have successfully designed and implemented battery collection programs.
- Educational materials that promote battery collection through outreach tools such as social media posts, flyers, and other public-facing communications.
- How-to guides that outline best practices for safely and effectively managing battery collection sites.
- Reports that provide background research, policy context, and data to support decision-making about battery collection program design and implementation.
- Standards that outline technical specifications or criteria designed to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency.
- Tip sheets with quick, actionable guidance for program leads and collection site staff.
- Webinars featuring subject matter experts, case studies, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
- Webpages that provide additional information on battery regulations, recycling initiatives, and related programs.
Disclaimer: Mention of public, private, or nonprofit entities; trade names; or commercial products or services in this document does not and should not be construed to constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any such product or service for use in any manner.
| Title | Description | Organization | Battery Format | Resource Type | Focus Area | Community Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 4 Lithium-Ion Battery Outreach | EPA-led outreach program focused on lithium-ion battery safety, particularly fire risks and prevention strategies. Includes stakeholder presentations and technical guidance. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Superfund and Emergency Management Division | Small Format | Educational Material | Education/Outreach; Fire Prevention | All |
| End-of-Life Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries | EPA report that outlines end-of-life collection, handling, transportation, storage, sorting, and damaged, defective, or recalled best practices for lithium-ion batteries to enhance the circular economy and recover critical minerals. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Large Format (Motive); Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format; Small Format | Report | Collection Sites; End-of-Life Management; Fire Prevention; Recycling | All |
| How to Safely Dispose of E-Cigarettes: Information for Schools and Small Businesses | EPA guidance for schools and small businesses on how to properly dispose of electronic cigarettes. E-cigarettes are considered hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act because they contain nicotine and lithium batteries. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Small Format | Tip Sheet | Collection Sites; E-cigarettes; Hazardous Waste | All |
| An Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Waste Management and Recycling (pdf)(2.3 MB) | EPA report that analyzes fires in the waste management process. The report found that 64 waste facilities experienced 245 fires that were caused by, or likely caused by, lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Mid-Format; Small Format | Report | Collection Sites; End-of-Life Management; Fire Management; Fire Prevention; Transportation | All |
| New York State Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook | Comprehensive guide developed to assist municipalities, developers, and stakeholders in the safe and efficient deployment of battery energy storage systems across New York State. The guidebook outlines permitting procedures, zoning considerations, fire code compliance, and best practices for siting and operations. It also includes model laws, checklists, and template documents to streamline local government approval processes. | New York State Energy Research and Development Authority | Large Format (Stationary Storage) | How-to Guide | Permitting and Siting; Fire Management; Education/Outreach | All |
| The Recycling Partnership: Solving for Circularity | Comprehensive guide focused on end-of-life battery management in personal electronics, offering collection strategies, data tracking practices, and community education best practices. | The Recycling Partnership | Small Format | Educational Material | Collection Sites; Education/Outreach; Recycling | All |
| Personal Electronics Battery End-of-Life Management Guide (pdf)(1.54 MB) | Guide on steps to developing a community collection and recovery program. Includes information on collection options, funding, recordkeeping and data, education, and personal protective equipment. | The Recycling Partnership | Mid-Format; Small Format | How-to Guide | Collection Sites; Curbside Collection; Education/Outreach; End-of-Life Management; Recycling | All |
| ECOSWEEE Best Practice Collection Initiatives Booklet | Best practices booklet for collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries, intended for the European Union. Includes educational materials for schools, awareness campaigns, and case studies to highlight elements of best practices. | Enhancing Collection of Small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment | Small Format | Educational Material | Collection Sites; Education/Outreach | All |
| Abandoned Vehicles on Tribal Lands | Two-part webinar series that discusses the rising problem of vehicle abandonment and uncontrolled accumulation on Tribal lands. The first webinar delves into methods of identifying and tracking vehicle concerns; the recycled metal market; and approaches for Tribes to safely collect, crush, and remove vehicles from their lands. The second webinar explores regulations governments can use to encourage vehicle cleanup, as well as Tribal vehicle removal case studies. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Large Format (Motive) | Webinar | End-of-Life Management; Hazardous Waste; Recycling | Tribal |
| Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Challenges and Best Practices (pdf)(18.1 MB) | As part of EPA's Tribal Oil Spill Prevention and Chemical Emergency Preparedness Webinar series, the Lithium-Ion Battery Challenges and Best Practices webinar outlines lithium-ion battery emergency response considerations and case studies on storage and transportation. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Large Format (Motive); Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format | Webinar | End-of-Life Management; Fire Management; Fire Prevention; Hazardous Waste; Recycling | Tribal |
| Lithium-Ion Battery Safety (pdf)(286 KB) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fact sheet on lithium-ion battery safety. Includes an overview of lithium-ion batteries and hazards, safety and fire management best practices, and OSHA and industry standards. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration | Large Format (Motive); Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format; Small Format | Report | End-of-Life Management; Fire Management; Fire Prevention; Hazardous Waste; Recycling | All |
| Check the Box | U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration educational initiative to reduce the number of safety incidents related to hazardous materials and to inform the public of safer shipping practices. | U.S. Department of Transportation | Large Format (Motive); Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format; Small Format | Educational Material | End-of-Life Management; Fire Prevention; Hazardous Waste; Recycling | All |
| Preventing Fire and/or Explosion Injury from Small and Wearable Lithium Battery-Powered Devices (pdf)(389 KB) | Addresses risks associated with small and wearable lithium battery-powered devices in the workplace and provides guidelines for employers and workers on safe usage, proper charging, and maintenance to prevent injuries. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration | Small Format | Report | Fire Prevention | All |
| Understanding the Risks of Damaged, Defective or Recalled Lithium Batteries (pdf)(567 KB) | How-to guide that instructs shippers on how to identify damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries and safely prepare them for shipment. | U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration | Large Format (Motive); Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format; Small Format | How-to Guide | End-of-Life Management; Fire Management; Fire Prevention; Transportation | All |
| Transporting Lithium Batteries | Educational materials and resources for shippers and households on safely managing and transporting lithium batteries. | U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration | Mid-Format; Small Format | Educational Material | End-of-Life Management; Fire Management; Fire Prevention; Hazardous Waste; Transportation | All |
| Waste and Debris Fact Sheet –Auto Batteries | Fact sheets on managing, transporting, and safely disposing lead-acid batteries. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Large Format (Motive) | How-to Guide | End-of-Life Management; Hazardous Waste; Recycling; Transportation | All |
| Guidance Document: EV Battery Safe Handling and Storage (pdf)(9.7 MB) | Guidance document provides battery handlers, including vehicle dealerships; auto dismantlers and recyclers; transportation operators; and fire responders with information on identifying batteries, safety prevention, managing thermal runaway, and the roles of first responders and federal agencies in this process. | Suppliers Partnership for the Environment | Large Format (Motive) | How-to Guide | End-of-Life Management; Fire Management; Fire Prevention; Hazardous Waste; Transportation | All |
| Guidance Document: Regulations Governing Shipment of Electric Vehicle Batteries in the U.S. | A series of resources and decision trees that guide electric vehicle battery handlers through relevant end-of-life regulations and requirements. | Suppliers Partnership for the Environment | Large Format (Motive) | How-to Guide | End-of-Life Management; Hazardous Waste; Transportation | All |
| 2024 International Fire Code. Section 320: Lithium-ion and lithium metal battery storage | Section 320 of the 2024 International Fire Code shares protocols for safely storing lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries to prevent fires as well as permitting and fire safety plan requirements. | The International Code Council | Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format; Small Format | Standards | End-Of-Life Management; Fire Prevention; Storage | All |
| National Fire Protection Association Code 855, Chapter 14: Storage of Lithium Metal or Lithium-Ion Batteries | Chapter 14 of the National Fire Protection Association Code 855 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems provides fire codes for battery storage, collection locations, indoor storage locations, prevention and mitigation, explosion protection, and outdoor storage location. | National Fire Protection Association | Large Format (Stationary Storage); Mid-Format; Small Format | Standards | End-Of-Life Management; Fire Prevention; Storage; Transportation | All |
| EPA Used Lithium-Ion Batteries Webpage | General overview on safe use, reuse, recycling, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Mid-Format; Small Format | Webpage | End-of-Life Management | All |
| EPA Frequent Questions on Li-ion Batteries | Answers to common consumer questions on the use, safety, recycling, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Mid-Format; Small Format | Webpage | Education/Outreach | All |
| EPA Used Household Batteries Webpage | Guidance on identifying, safely handling, and properly recycling or disposing of used household batteries, including alkaline and rechargeable types. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Small Format | Webpage | End-of-Life Management; Recycling | All |
| EPA Frequently Asked Question on Best Management Practices for Collection of Lithium-ion Batteries | Guidance for battery collection programs on how to safely manage lithium-ion batteries, minimize fire risks, and ensure proper labeling and handling. | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Mid-Format; Small Format | Webpage | Collection Sites; Fire Prevention; Storage | All |
| Electrical Safety Foundation and ReMa Guidance on Lithium-ion Battery Safety | Guidance on how to safely store and charge lithium-ion batteries, with recommendations to prevent fire risks in homes and businesses. | Electrical Safety Foundation International, Recycled Materials Association | Small Format | How-to Guide | Fire Prevention; Storage | All |
| NWRA; ISRI; SWANA: Guide for Developing Lithium Battery Management Practices at Recycling Facilities (pdf)(330 KB) | Guide on best practices for materials recovery facilities to identify, handle, and manage lithium batteries in the recycling stream to reduce fire risks and improve worker safety. | National Waste & Recycling Association, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Solid Waste Association of North America | Mid-Format; Small Format | How-to Guide | Recycling; Storage | All |
Contact Us
If you have questions or suggestions, send an email to Batteries@epa.gov.