"If you want to recycle an old electric toothbrush or pair of headphones with a lithium battery embedded inside, it can be hard to find a place to do it-and many existing battery collection boxes are fire risks. That's why Redwood Materials, the battery recycling and energy storage company founded by ex-Tesla engineer J. B. Straubel, just redesigned the collection bin."
"The new bins, rolling out first in San Francisco stores in partnership with the city's environmental department, can accept any type of rechargeable device, from phones to electric razors, earbuds, and loose lithium batteries. When someone drops a battery or device into a slot, the bin automatically lowers it into a sealed 50-gallon drum and coats it in fire suppressant. The bin also uses sensors to monitor itself to prevent fires."
Consumer recycling of electronics remains low, with only about 16% of electronics recycled in the U.S., and many batteries stored in junk drawers or landfills. Redwood Materials redesigned a collection bin that accepts phones, electric razors, earbuds, loose lithium batteries, and other rechargeable devices. The bin lowers dropped items into a sealed 50-gallon drum, coats them in fire suppressant, and uses sensors to monitor and prevent fires. Earlier collection boxes required staff monitoring due to fire risk; the new bins manage fire risk autonomously, improving security and enabling broader, scalable drop-off locations.
Read at Fast Company
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