A Growing Battery Recycling Crisis : SK Battery America

[TaxmanHog]

February 23, 2025, a devastating fire erupted at a battery recycling facility in Wythenshawe, UK. Witnesses reported explosions, and thick black smoke was visible for miles.

Just days earlier, February 20, 2025, a fire broke out at the Ascend Elements battery recycling plant in Covington, Georgia—marking the 14th incident since the facility opened in March 2023. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze, but if it had spread to a nearby warehouse, it could have led to mass evacuations and highway shutdowns.

And back in July 2023, a fire destroyed the Metro Site recycling center in Banks County, Georgia. Investigators discovered that SK Battery had been illegally dumping lithium-ion batteries at the facility—resulting in a $31 million settlement in October 2024.

These fires are happening too often, and the risks aren't going away. But why do these fires keep happening? And what can battery recyclers do to prevent them?

Kenn Kunze, a retired fire chief and expert in recycling fire prevention, joins me to break down the real risks and how facilities can protect their workers and communities.

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[Grumpy2]

Surprised by this. Those pouches certainly look like Lightning cells shown in the tear-down video.

 

[MickeyAO]

Surprised by this. Those pouches certainly look like Lightning cells shown in the tear-down video.

Based on the tabs, these are not Lighting cells in the picture. I have not reviewed the video for other images.

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