The San Francisco Environment Department, in collaboration with Redwood Materials, is charging up a new initiative aimed at increasing recycling of products embedded with lithium-ion batteries across the city. San Francisco, the first city in the country to offer this kind of technology, is pioneering a method of recycling that allows for fast, safe, and easy collection of batteries and battery embedded products.
As stated by the Redwood Materials website, “It’s a patent-approved, first-of-its-kind collection system that accepts mixed batteries and devices, is fully compliant, remotely monitored, and designed with fire safety at the core.”
These bins combat issues in previous battery recycling methods. Before, batteries that were to be recycled were put into cardboard boxes, which could easily catch fire if left unattended. To remedy this issue, Redwood Battery Bin has built in sensors that monitor its own internal condition, checking if there are any potential fire hazards within the container. Additionally, every bin is equipped with automatic fire extinguishers in case of emergency.
Moreover, each bin has automatic sorting. This feature sharply decreases the amount of on-site labor required to use these bins, another challenge past battery recycling initiatives faced. As a result, the bins only need a single operator to check its performance and to transport the batteries collected to a Redwood Materials recycling facility.
According to Recycling Product News, Vice President of External Affairs and Consumer Recycling Programs at Redwood Alexis Georgeson remarked, “Our new Battery Bins use first-of-their-kind, patented technology to safely capture these materials at scale.”
San Francisco has had a multitude of ways to recycle loose lithium-ion batteries, but was lacking in ways to dispose of products embedded with those batteries. Now with the Redwood Battery Bin, the city can more effectively collect and recycle these battery-embedded products.
“These battery recycling bins will make it easier than ever to dispose of old or broken technology you have lying around the house, especially if it is likely to create a hazard,” said Aadi Desai ’27.
The new Redwood Battery Bins are available for use all around San Francisco. New locations include four Cole Hardware locations and three Sports Basement stores, as well as the Four Embarcadero Center.
As more methods of recycling are added around the city and more San Franciscans take advantage of these new recycling initiatives, the city will continue to advance closer towards a waste-free future.
