Northwest Iowa — Northwest Iowa Landfill is making it easier and safer for residents to dispose of lithium-ion batteries by launching a new battery recycling program across its service area. The initiative is designed to help keep hazardous batteries out of the regular trash and recycling stream, reducing the growing risk of fires at landfills and recycling facilities.
Landfill officials say that, unfortunately, improperly disposed batteries have also become one of the leading causes of fires at landfills and recycling centers. Industry data shows catastrophic fires at waste and recycling facilities caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased by 41 percent over the past five years, resulting in more than $2.5 billion in damages.
Landfill manager Brent Kach says that safety is their highest priority, and this new program gives residents a simple way to help protect employees, equipment, and the community. He says that many people don’t realize that tossing a rechargeable battery into the garbage or recycling bin can create a serious fire hazard. By providing dedicated collection bins or kiosks, he says they’re making it easier for everyone to do the right thing.
You may have noticed new collection bins in northwest Iowa. Kach says these were purchased from CleanRiver Recycling Solutions, a company based in Aurora, Ontario, Canada, that provides recycling collection systems used by municipalities and waste facilities throughout North America.
Click here for a Battery Identification & Safety Guide in English or in Spanish.
Find a Battery Collection Bin Near You:
- Doon – City Shop, 210 N 1st St
- Inwood – Community Center, 103 S Main St
- Sheldon – Community Building SW corner of the parking lot
- Orange City – City Shop at 809 Concord Place SE
- Sibley – Sibley Food Store, 407 9th St
- Rock Valley – Herm’s Sanitation, 2688 Rock Ridge Dr
- Sioux Center – Brommer Sanitation, 360 4th St NW
- Sanborn – City Hall, 102 Main St
- Primghar – Primghar Hardware,115 S. Green St
- Rock Rapids – Denny’s Sanitation, 213 N Union St
- Akron – Park Maintenance Shed, 321 N 3rd St
- Archer – Old Coop, 202 Main St
Residents are encouraged to bring rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to the designated collection location rather than placing them in household garbage or curbside recycling carts.
If you have a damaged lithium-ion battery, you are asked to call the landfill and do not put it in the bins. The number for that or for more information is 712-324-4026.
The writing on the bins does not specify what chemistries of rechargeable batteries are accepted. The bin also has a place to recycle phones, tablets, and alkaline batteries.
