Cordless power tools are convenient but battery packs present a fire hazard for scrap yard owners.
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most persistent fire risks in scrapyards. Most operators are well aware of the common culprits: laptops, cell phones, and power tools. But just as often, batteries show up tucked inside less obvious items and when they get missed, they can end up in your shred pile, waiting to ignite.
Some of these items are small and hidden. For example, electronic toothbrushes, vape pens, and wireless earbuds all contain lithium cells, but their small size makes them easy to overlook. Even everyday greeting cards with built-in music or lights can hide a thin lithium battery that can ignite when punctured.
Then there are the bigger items that arrive with batteries built into places you might not expect. Adjustable recliners, hospital beds, and mobility scooters often carry large lithium packs concealed inside the frame.
Modern hospital beds can have battery packs hidden inside the frame.
E-bikes have become slimmer and lighter, and more difficult to differentiate from a regular bicycle, while still containing large battery packs within the frame.
As home battery backup becomes more popular, smart electrical panels containing lithium batteries are beginning to appear in scrap yards, nearly indistinguishable from a standard electrical panel.
And of course, we can’t forget the more familiar but still dangerous items: Electric lawn equipment, laptops, and power tools are all repeat offenders. While many yards have trained staff to pull these on sight, the sheer volume of material means even common items slip through.
The key takeaway is this: lithium-ion batteries are showing up in more products every year, and not all of them look like electronics. A simple reminder to your crews about these hidden battery sources can help keep them vigilant. Every pack you pull out before the shred pile is one less chance of fire.
Common Sources
✔️ Laptops and tablets
✔️ Cordless power tools
✔️ E-bikes and scooters
✔️ Cordless lawn equipment (trimmers, chainsaws, blowers)
Hidden & Less Obvious Sources
✔️ Adjustable recliners and lift chairs
✔️ Hospital beds
✔️ Home security systems and electrical panels
✔️ Vape pens and e-cigarettes
✔️ Bluetooth headphones and speakers
✔️ Electronic toothbrushes and shavers
✔️ Musical greeting cards and light-up decorations
