Lithium-ion batteries are in our phones, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and more. When damaged or tossed in the trash or regular recycling, these batteries can overheat, spark, and ignite—causing dangerous fires in homes, garbage trucks, and recycling facilities. These fires threaten communities, workers, and first responders, disrupt services, and increase costs for local governments.
Proper battery management is a public safety concern. Fires caused by incorrectly handled batteries can cause damage to homes, release toxic fumes, and impact the health of entire neighborhoods.
Warning signs of a failing battery: strange odors or heat, swelling or color changes, leaking fluid, or unusual noises. If safe to do so, move the device away from flammables and call 9-1-1.
Never place batteries in household trash or curbside recycling—take them to a proper drop-off. Proper disposal protects workers, prevents facility fires, and recovers valuable materials like lithium, copper, and cobalt.
Monarch waste caption option: “A 55-gallon drum containing nearly 40,000 lithium-ion batteries removed from vape pens. Credit: Monarch Waste Co.
Batteries collected at a North Missouri Solid Waste Management District community collection event. Credit: Green Hills Regional Planning Commission.
The Solution
The Short-Term Solution: What You Can Do Today
Find a drop-off location:
- Call2Recycle locator: call2recycle.org/locator
- Missouri DNR HHW guidance: dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/reduce-reuse-recycle/what-to-do-with-specific/household-hazardous
Do not:
- Put batteries (or battery-powered devices) in curbside trash or recycling carts
- Do not leave things plugged in! Cordless vacuums, e-bikes, power tool batteries, etc. can catch fire if left charging and unattended.
- Do not store damaged, swollen, or smoldering batteries in your home.
DO:
- Place unwanted or damaged batteries in kitty litter or sand, place them away from your home
- Bring them to a fire station promptly.
Battery Safety Blog post: https://www.recyclespot.org/blog/household-hazardous-waste/take-charge-battery-safety
The Long-Term Solution: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
To protect communities statewide, Missouri needs a durable, well-funded system for handling batteries safely. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that makes battery manufacturers responsible for the full life cycle of their products — including safe collection and recycling.
Under an EPR program, producers would:
- Design safer products and provide clear end-of-life instructions.
- Fund convenient, statewide collection, including retail drop-off.
- Ensure safe transportation, sorting, and material recovery.
- Meet performance, reporting, and safety standards that improve system outcomes.
EPR shifts the financial and safety burden away from local governments, recyclers, and taxpayers — creating a more reliable, resilient battery management system.
Missouri needs a system that prevents fires and funds safe management statewide.
EPR for batteries makes producers responsible for:
- Designing safer products and clearer end-of-life instructions
- Funding convenient statewide collection (including retail take-back)
- Ensuring safe transportation, processing, and battery material recovery
- Reporting and meeting performance and safety standards
With EPR, costs and risks no longer fall on municipalities, facilities, and taxpayers—and Missouri gets a safer, more reliable system.
What to Expect This Legislative Session
Missouri’s interest in battery safety and sustainable management continues to grow. During the upcoming legislative session, stakeholders anticipate discussion of bills that would:
- Establish a framework for statewide battery EPR.
- Improve residential access to safe drop-off options.
- Reduce fire risks for waste haulers, recyclers, and local governments.
- Create consistent funding for transportation, processing, and responsible recycling.
The Missouri PSC Battery Workgroup — supported by industry, government, and nonprofit partners — will continue refining policy options, identifying system gaps, and preparing recommendations that align with national best practices.
Missourians can support this effort by staying informed, sharing safety guidance in their communities, and participating in public comment opportunities once legislation is introduced.
Resources
- The Product Stewardship Institute has led the way across the U.S. in support of EPR laws for batteries. Visit their Batteries Product Page for model bill language, best practices & technical assistance for battery EPR laws.
- Check out the Solid Waste Management District O website to learn about their Vape Waste Pilot.