On March 19, 2026, NH Recycles hosted a Solid Waste Safety Summit in New London, bringing together over 70 transfer station operators, municipal staff, fire professionals, and state partners to tackle one of the fastest-growing safety challenges in the waste stream: lithium-ion batteries.
With a full room of “boots-on-the-ground” operators, the conversation focused on real-world risks, practical solutions, and the shared responsibility of keeping facilities—and communities—safe.
Why This Topic Matters Now
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere—phones, tools, vapes, lawn equipment, and more—and they’re increasingly ending up in the wrong places.
As NH Recycles Executive Director Reagan Bissonnette explained:
“The number one topic that we’re getting so many questions about is rechargeable batteries.”
And the concern is well-founded. Across New Hampshire and nationwide, improperly managed batteries are causing fires in transfer stations, recycling facilities, trucks, and homes.
What Operators Are Seeing on the Ground
Attendees made it clear: this is no longer a hypothetical issue.
From registration feedback and discussion, it was clear that preventing fires was the top reason people attended. Most participants were transfer station operators who are seeing these risks firsthand in their day-to-day work, and there was a shared recognition that fires are happening in facilities of all sizes across the state.
As NH Recycles Education & Grants Manager Andrea Folsom noted:
“We are seeing battery fires in homes and at facilities and trash trucks and at recycling centers. This is everyone’s issue now.”
Operator Experience: Fires That Don’t Go Out
One attendee shared a firsthand account:
“We had a battery fire at our transfer station and it took about four hours for it to go out. It just continually burns! Seems like the only way to put them out is bury them in sand [in a bucket].”
Key Safety Takeaways
Across all discussions, several consistent lessons emerged:
1. Batteries Are the Leading Fire Cause
“Lithium-ion batteries are one of the leading causes of fires across the states.” - Tony Booth, NH Deputy Fire Marshal
2. Fires Start Hidden
Fires often start hidden, presenting first as smoke, hissing, or off-gassing rather than visible flames, which makes early detection critical to preventing them from escalating into larger, more dangerous incidents.
3. One Battery Is Enough
“It just takes one battery - that can get you.” - Andrea Folsom, NH Recycles
4. Prevention Happens at the Transfer Station
Prevention happens at the transfer station, where practices like two-stage scrap metal separation, staff inspection before materials enter containers, and the immediate removal and proper storage of batteries all play a critical role in reducing fire risk.
Audience Q&A: Practical Challenges and Solutions
One of the most valuable parts of the Safety Summit was the open discussion with operators.
Should We Just Collect All Batteries Together?
An attendee raised a key point:
“Why not just say all batteries come here and take all the guesswork out of it for residents?”
Response:
Collecting all batteries in one place is often the safest approach, especially given how difficult it can be to distinguish battery types, but we also acknowledge the real-world constraints facilities face. Space, staffing, and site layout can limit what’s feasible, so while a centralized system is ideal, operators are encouraged to implement practical solutions that fit their operation while still reducing risk. As Andrea noted during the discussion:
“We know the realities of facilities, the space you have, the time you have, the manpower you have—it’s not always something that we can all do, so you just do your best.”
Hidden Batteries Are a Growing Problem
Operators highlighted the growing challenge of batteries embedded in everyday devices, noting that items like small electronics and especially vapes are increasingly difficult to identify and manage. Because these batteries are often hidden inside products that appear to be metal or general waste, they frequently slip into scrap metal or trash undetected, increasing the risk of fires. As NH Recycles Municipal Recycling Advisor Steve Bean noted during the Summit, "if an item has a cord, if it’s got any rechargeable function, you need to take a look at that,” underscoring how easy it is for these materials to be overlooked without careful inspection.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A Potential Game-Changer
A major question from the audience:
“Does any of this ever go back to the manufacturer?”
What is EPR?
NH Department of Environmental Services Waste Reduction and Diversion Planner Paige Wilson explained:
“Extended producer responsibility is exactly what it sounds like. It extends the cost of managing items back onto the producer.”
In simple terms, extended producer responsibility means that manufacturers help cover the cost of collecting and recycling the products they put into the market, shifting the financial burden away from municipalities.
What’s Proposed in New Hampshire?
At the time of the Summit, attendees learned that a proposed battery extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill, sponsored by Representative Karen Ebel (pictured), had already passed the House and was moving through the Senate and Finance Committee, with the potential to cover most battery types. If enacted, the bill could significantly ease the burden on municipalities by reducing local costs and creating a more consistent, statewide system for battery collection and management. Rather than towns piecing together services through multiple vendors, a program like Call2Recycle—now operating as The Battery Network—could establish a coordinated network of free collection and recycling options, eliminating the need for municipalities to pay directly for battery recycling while simplifying operations.
“The costs wouldn’t fall onto you guys as municipalities. They would go back onto the battery manufacturers.” -Paige Wilson, NHDES
What This Means for Communities
The Summit reinforced a clear reality for communities: lithium-ion batteries are not going away, the risks associated with them are increasing rather than stabilizing, and solutions must be practical, consistent, and shared. For operators, that means implementing measures like two-stage separation, establishing dedicated battery collection areas, and maintaining ongoing staff training and vigilance. For residents, it requires clear, repeated education, simple instructions, and accessible drop-off options to make proper disposal easier. On the policy side, extended producer responsibility (EPR) has the potential to shift the financial burden away from municipalities and support stronger, more coordinated systems that reduce risk statewide.
Final Takeaway
If there was one message that came through loud and clear:
This is preventable—but only if everyone plays a role.
From operators catching a battery before it’s compacted, to residents making better disposal decisions, to policy changes that support safer systems—every piece matters.
Or, as one attendee put it best:
“All batteries in one spot is better than a fire!”
