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Lithium Batteries

Definition

There are two types of lithium batteries:

  • Lithium-Ion Batteries – which are generally rechargeable and are found in a variety of electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, cell phones, scooters, and drones.
  • Lithium Metal Batteries – which are long-lived batteries that are generally not rechargeable and are found in watches, key fobs, smoke detectors, and thermometers.

Although the use of lithium batteries has reduced the toxicity of the other heavy metal and corrosive batteries, there is still a significant fire hazard associated with lithium batteries.  Due to the reactivity of lithium and other components to air and water, the potential for fire is higher than with other battery types.  Lithium batteries can fail if breached, or if thermal runaway occurs from the battery overheating due to a chemical reaction.  All lithium batteries must be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program.

Storage

Intact: Lithium batteries must be individually sealed in a plastic bag to prevent contact with other batteries or metal. Battery disposal stations with instructions and plastic baggies are maintained across campus at these locations (link).

Damaged: If you have a damaged lithium battery that is overheating, bulging, or breached, CellBlock® fire suppression media and containers are located at all EHS battery disposal stations with instructions on how to use the material.  Immediately contact EHS when a battery is overheating. 

MSU Waste Tag Required

No – A MSU Waste Tag is not needed when submitting intact lithium batteries via a Hazardous Waste Request or when utilizing the EHS battery disposal stations.

Yes  - A MSU Waste Tag is required for all damaged and leaking lithium batteries as they are managed as hazardous waste.

MSU Waste Tags must be directly affixed to the waste container either with string, a twist tie, chain and clipboard, rubber band, or tape.  MSU Waste Tags are provided by EHS and can be requested through an EHS Hazardous Waste Request.

Labeling

Intact

For locations that collect multiple lithium batteries prior to disposal with EHS, the container must be labeled “Universal Waste Batteries” and contain the accumulation start date.  The accumulation start date is the first day that you begin filling the container with batteries.  Alternatively, the EHS Hazardous Waste Program provides the following label for Universal Waste, which can be requested through the EHS Safety Portal:

**Insert photo of UW Label with Batteries checked and Accumulation Date highlighted.**

Damaged

A MSU Waste Tag should be filled out and completed when the lithium battery is found to be damaged.  The contact information at the top of the MSU Waste Tag must be filled out to identify where the hazardous waste was generated, the container size and type, and who to contact with questions regarding the waste container.

The Contents should be “Damaged Lithium Battery” with the weight of the battery listed in the Volume column.  Check the poison/toxic hazard at the bottom of the MSU Waste Tag. 

Guidance on how to accurately fill out the MSU Waste Tag can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS website located here.

Submit Hazardous Waste Request

If submitting individual lithium batteries for disposal, or when the battery storage container is full or close to the 90-day accumulation limit, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:

  • EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
  • Log in into the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
  • Select: Hazardous Waste Request
  • Lithium batteries are found under the Common Process category

Waste