Old, dormant batteries can ignite fires. Here's a guide on disposing them securely.

In South Korea, managing electronic waste, particularly small battery-powered devices, has become a priority due to a series of fires that have caused significant damage and disruptions.

Residents of Seoul can find official disposal points for small battery-powered electronics within walking distance, thanks to regular updates to the locations. However, in other parts of the country, such as Busan, the lack of dedicated small electronics bins is a concern, especially for those not living in apartment complexes.

Recent incidents include a battery-fueled fire at a Busan scrap yard that burned for 44 hours, and a fire at a Seoul recycling facility that caused 400 million won ($287,000) in damage. Moreover, a power bank caught fire on a Line No. 4 train near Ichon Station just five days prior, and a motorcycle battery caused smoke on Seoul Subway Line Nos. 2 and 6, leading to service disruptions.

These fires have raised awareness about the risks associated with discarding small lithium-powered devices in household trash or plastic recycling. It is safer and more appropriate to place them in community battery bins or dedicated collection stations for small electronics or battery-integrated devices.

The city of Seoul is working to improve collection systems for these devices, and the e-Circulation Governance, a nonprofit organisation, operates a free national e-waste pickup service. Residents can schedule a pickup for large electronics and five or more small battery-powered devices through this service. However, single small devices are not yet eligible for pickup unless part of a group of five or more.

Community waste battery bins in South Korea are increasingly accepting small battery-integrated devices like power banks, mini fans, and electronic gadgets, in addition to loose batteries. These bins are often explicitly labeled for "Small appliances and toys with built-in secondary batteries."

It's essential to dispose of batteries correctly. If a battery is built-in and non-removable, the entire device should be disposed of in a dedicated collection station for small electronics or battery-integrated devices. On the other hand, if a battery can be removed from a device, it should be placed in a designated waste battery bin.

To find official disposal points for small battery-powered electronics in Seoul, residents can use the city's digital map service at map.seoul.go.kr/smgis2/seoulMap.

As the number of lithium battery-related fires in South Korea over the past five years has exceeded 670, it's clear that addressing this issue is crucial for the safety of the public and the environment. Education and improved waste management systems are key to preventing future incidents.

Old, dormant batteries can ignite fires. Here's a guide on disposing them securely.