Florida Waste Industry Pushes for Battery-Safety Bill as Fire Risks Escalate

Florida waste and recycling operators are pressing state lawmakers to advance a bill aimed at curbing a surge in fires linked to discarded lithium-ion batteries, a threat industry groups say is straining local services and endangering workers, according to statements from the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and its Florida Chapter. The proposal, called the Safe Battery Collection & Recovery Act, seeks to modernize Florida’s two-decade-old battery-disposal rules as battery-powered devices proliferate across households.

The rise in lithium-ion battery incidents has become a national concern over the past decade. Data published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows a steady increase in waste-facility fires tied to batteries, with industry analysts noting that the shift toward portable electronics, power tools, and e-mobility devices has accelerated the trend. Several states, including California and Minnesota, have studied extended producer responsibility models for batteries, and observers say Florida’s system has lagged behind in both regulatory clarity and consumer guidance.

The proposed legislation would revise definitions in state law to reflect current battery chemistries, set disposal requirements for rechargeable and single-use batteries, expand consumer drop-off options, and establish uniform statewide education campaigns. NWRA leaders say outdated rules have left haulers and material recovery facilities without a consistent framework, even as battery-related fires continue to damage trucks, shut down facilities, and trigger emergency responses that disrupt municipal operations. Lawmakers sponsoring the measure argue that the current statute, written before lithium-ion cells became ubiquitous, no longer addresses the realities of today’s consumer electronics market.

Officials from the waste sector say they support the bill because it introduces clearer rules for the public and reduces operational hazards. Some fire-service representatives have also warned that battery incidents are diverting resources from other emergencies. Industry groups argue that prevention, through consumer awareness, safer handling practices, and designated collection systems, is the only viable mitigation strategy in the near term.

If approved, the measure would position Florida among a growing number of states working to standardize battery-disposal practices amid national discussions about producer responsibility, recycling infrastructure, and fire-safety protocols. Analysts say the bill’s success will depend on enforcement, funding for education, and consumer participation, factors that have hampered similar efforts elsewhere.

Source: National Waste & Recycling Innovation

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Florida’s push to modernize its battery-disposal rules underscores rising fire risks and the need for clearer, statewide safeguards.