EPA Declares Lithium-Ion Batteries as Hazardous Waste and Requires Tier II Reporting

At the end of May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum stating that lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries should be classified and managed as hazardous waste. The May 24, 2023, memo states that under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Li-Ion batteries generally qualify as hazardous waste at end of life. EPA’s conclusion was made because of the ignitability and reactivity characteristics of Li-Ion batteries. EPA did say “generally” because there is a wide range of Li-Ion battery chemistries …