ReMA Highlights Safe Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling During Fire Prevention Week 2025

October is Fire Prevention Month! The goal of Fire Prevention Month is to raise fire safety awareness and help ensure your home and family are protected. In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.

During this month, fire departments provide education to their communities, and encourage parents and loved ones to practice fire prevention and whole home safety.

This year, fire prevention week is October 5 - 11 and the theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home."

Most of the electronics in our homes, smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, and toys are powered by lithium-ion batteries. However, if not used correctly or damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat and start a fire or explode.

"These batteries don't belong in the curbside bin or waste," said Mike Marino, ReMA's Vice President of Safety. "They need to be recycled properly, and we're excited to partner with NFPA this year to get the message out to our members and the public."

ReMA has made of lot of effort to promote the safe handling and recycling of lithium-ion batteries at the end of their lifecycle. These efforts include:

• Partnering with the Electrical Safety Foundation (ESF) on a campaign to promote lithium-ion battery recycling;
• Collaborating with JASON Learning on this year's annual Youth Poster and Video Contest where students are tasked to research the hidden risks behind improperly recycling batteries, as well as the rewards of recycling batteries correctly;
• Planning a series of articles for ReMA News investigating evolving and existing technologies for fire prevention / suppression lithium-ion battery detection in recycling (this series is still in development);
• Running the ReMA Safety EV Technician Training in partnership Energy Security Agency (ESA) to train recycling and dismantling professionals on the safe handling of electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries; and
• Recently launching a small battery training program to help members recognize and detect lithium-ion batteries.

"Batteries are everywhere - and so is the potential for a serious fire," Marino said. "With proper labeling, consumer education, and a clear and easy path to the specialized recycling facilities, lithium-ion batteries can be safely handled and recycled. There are many resources, and we need to continue to work together to get the message out to the public and members about how to detect these batteries and keep them out of the recycling stream."