Lithium battery recycling program expands locally

The Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub has expanded its lithium battery recycling collection program to more fire stations across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. This initiative, funded by Rumpke Waste & Recycling, aims to help residents properly dispose of lithium batteries and prevent fires caused by improper disposal.

With the expansion, there are now 14 local fire stations participating in the program, which began in 2023. The stations serve as convenient drop-off points for residents to dispose of old or damaged lithium batteries safely across Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

“We’re excited to continue this work through these partnerships with area fire stations,” said Brittany Gray, off-site collections coordinator for the Hub. “We want to make it easier for residents to dispose of these batteries safely and keep them out of the landfill.”

Ohio fire stations

• Blue Ash Fire Department: 10647 Kenwood Road (Blue Ash)
• Cincinnati Fire Department, Hyde Park Station #46: 2731 Erie Ave.
• Cincinnati Fire Department, Lunken Station #18: 478 Wilmer Ave.
• Colerain Township Fire Department, Station #25: 3251 Springdale Road
• Delhi Township Fire Department, Station #33: 697 Neeb Road
• Green Township Fire Department, Station #53: 6303 Harrison Avenue
• Indian Hill Station #64: 6475 Drake Road
• Madeira Station #65: 7205 Miami Ave.
• St. Bernard Fire Department, Station #91: 4200 Vine St.
• Woodlawn Fire Station #96: 10121 Springfield Pike

Kentucky fire stations

• Central Campbell Co. Fire District: 4113 Alexandria Pike (Cold Spring)
• Company 1, City of Covington: 100 E Robbins S. (Covington)
• Fort Wright Fire Department: 409 Kyles Lane (Fort Wright)
• Ludlow Fire Department: 234 Oak St. (Ludlow)

Jeff Snyder, senior vice president of recycling at Rumpke, emphasized the growing concern with lithium-ion batteries.

“When these batteries reach the end of their life, people don’t know what to do with them. They often toss them into their trash or recycling containers, leading to fires in our trucks and facilities,” he said.

The expansion of the program is a direct response to the rising use of lithium batteries in everyday products, which makes proper disposal more crucial.

“The use of lithium batteries is increasing dramatically, not just in our community, but in our county,” said Blue Ash Fire Chief Chris Theders. “We wanted to provide a safe place for our community to drop off and recycle both old and damaged lithium battery cells.”

For more information, visit www.cintirrh.org.