Published September 20, 2026 · 5 min read · Updated September 27, 2026
Lithium-ion batteries run most of the modern workplace, and each one becomes a fire risk and a regulated waste at end of life. Here is how California businesses collect, store, ship and recycle them safely.
Laptops, phones, cordless tools, backup power systems, e-bikes and electric pallet jacks all run on lithium-ion cells. Each of those cells eventually swells, fails or gets replaced, and at that point it becomes one of the most hazardous things a California business can throw away. In a bin or a collection truck it is a fire risk, and under state rules it is a regulated waste that cannot go to a landfill.
Modern Waste Solutions has collected, transported and recycled batteries for California organizations since 1999 from its Sacramento facility. This guide covers lithium-ion battery recycling for businesses: where the batteries accumulate, why California regulates them as universal waste, how to store and ship them without starting a fire, how recycling recovers their materials and how to set up a program that holds up to review.
Most organizations hold more lithium-ion cells than they think, because the batteries sit inside equipment instead of on an inventory shelf. They turn up in almost every department, and they share the same end-of-life hazards.
| Area | Where the batteries are | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| IT & office | Laptops, tablets, phones, wireless peripherals | Sealed Li-ion / Li-polymer packs that swell as they age |
| Facilities & maintenance | Cordless drills, saws and other power tools | Removable tool packs, often stored in bulk |
| Data & communications | UPS units and backup power systems | Newer units use lithium instead of lead-acid |
| Devices & sensors | IoT sensors, badge readers, medical devices | Small pouch and coin cells that are easy to overlook |
| Fleet & logistics | E-bikes, e-scooters, electric pallet jacks and forklifts | Large-format packs that require special handling |
Large-format packs in e-bikes and electric material-handling equipment carry the most stored energy and the strictest handling rules; our guide to EV battery recycling covers them. Many UPS units still run on sealed lead-acid, which has its own guide on lead-acid and UPS battery recycling.
California's Universal Waste Rule, administered by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), prohibits all batteries from regular trash and landfills. Lithium-ion cells contain cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium salts and a flammable electrolyte. When a casing corrodes those materials can reach soil and groundwater, and the metals are worth recovering.
The business that generates the waste is responsible for it from the moment it is discarded until it reaches an authorized destination, so a mixed-recycling bin does not end that responsibility. A compliant program produces a chain of custody and a certificate of recycling that show where the material went.
A lithium-ion cell packs a lot of energy into a small space. Crushing, puncturing or short-circuiting it, which is what a compactor or a mixed collection truck does, can start thermal runaway: a self-sustaining reaction that produces intense heat, flammable gas and a fire that is hard to put out and can reignite. One swollen laptop battery can set a whole load alight.
Swollen, damaged and recalled cells carry the highest risk and should be isolated as soon as someone spots them. Our article on the hidden risks of improper battery disposal covers what goes wrong and the liability that follows.
Safe handling comes down to preventing short circuits and containing any cell that fails. A workable in-house procedure:
Modern Waste Solutions provides business battery recycling across California, including sorting, insulating, packaging, labeling and compliant transportation, so trained staff handle the riskiest step.
Once batteries reach a permitted facility, recycling recovers the metals inside each cell in four general stages.
Our guide to the battery recycling process and storage safety for California businesses follows material from pickup through processing for every chemistry.
Once one person owns the program, the setup is short:
Modern Waste Solutions supplies the containers and labels and trains your staff as part of its six-step program.
Yes. DTSC regulates them as universal waste. They are prohibited from regular trash and landfills and must be recycled through an authorized handler.
Yes. Taping terminals or bagging cells individually prevents the short circuits that cause fires in storage and transport, and it takes seconds.
Isolate it from other batteries and combustibles, do not charge or puncture it, and tell your recycler. Damaged cells need special containment and cannot go into routine collection.
Metals such as cobalt, nickel and lithium are refined and returned to manufacturing. That reduces the need for newly mined material and keeps toxic substances out of landfills.
Yes. Large-format packs hold more energy and follow stricter handling rules, so each job is scoped individually. Request a quote and we will confirm the process for your equipment.
Lithium-ion batteries become a liability when they are treated as ordinary trash. Collected at the source, taped, isolated when damaged and sent to a recycler, they turn into a routine, documented part of your waste stream, and their metals go into new products. If your organization accumulates lithium-ion batteries of any size, request a quote and Modern Waste Solutions will build a collection and recycling program around your volume and equipment.
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This was our first time working with MWS and they were amazing! Quick response time, efficient, and friendly. Ivan was the team member who was on site for the pickup, and he was great. He worked quickly, is very knowledgeable, and is so kind. It was so easy working with him. We are looking forward to using MWS for our E-waste and Universal waste needs in the future. - Sacramento City College Sustainability
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A little bit off the beaten track in Natomas, but Modern Waste quickly and efficiently helped me recycle my broken Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries at a reasonable $/lb fee (Sac county e-waste will not accept these items). Ramiro and Vincent were very friendly and helpful.
We had another vendor cancel on us last minute & Modern Waste jumped into action & was able to help us with ewaste & critical document shredding overnight. Team was helpful, professional & got the job done quickly & efficiently. We were able to complete an office move out/shut down in a day with their help! Highly recommend this business!
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Chris was awesome! He came in and picked up all of the e-waste we had ready for him. He was polite and professional throughout the entire process. He handled the equipment with care, including the site equipment that was already in place. I am very happy with his service and appreciate the great job he did.
I needed hard drives on some old laptops destroyed so any old personal information can't be stolen. The guys there were friendly and helpful and fast. Thanks Pavel and Vincent. Thanks Modern Waste for doing a helpful fast service to us.
We truly appreciate your generous review! 😊 It's fantastic to know our team was able to assist you with your hard drive destruction needs efficiently. We are so glad to hear you had a pleasing experience with us. Our door is always open for all your future recycling needs!
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