“Allen County Secures $1.7M Funding Boost for Innovative Battery Recycling Initiative”

The Allen County Department of Environmental Management is utilizing a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance battery recycling efforts across the county.

Collaborating with Purdue University Fort Wayne, the department is initiating a public awareness initiative named Stop the Spark to inform residents about the optimal practices for battery safety.

The aspiration of this three-year initiative is to minimize fire events triggered by lithium-ion batteries, which have the potential to swell and ignite.

“Batteries pose numerous hazards concerning personal safety, home security, and environmental protection,” stated Betsy Perry Patton, the communications and outreach coordinator for the Allen County Department of Environmental Management. “Our goal is to inform the public about these risks to better equip them for managing batteries when they reach the end of their lifespan.”

The financial support is sourced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with Allen County being one of merely seven counties across the nation to secure a grant.

In 2024, Allen County has reported 14 fires associated with the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries, and the department aims to alleviate this figure by at least 50% throughout the three-year project duration.

Household batteries can also introduce potentially dangerous compounds into the waste stream, thereby polluting the soil, water, and air, according to the department. In addition to their disposal educational efforts, Patton stated their objective is to inform residents about the correct maintenance of batteries during their operational lifespan.

“Many individuals receive products or purchase gadgets without recognizing that lithium batteries are often included,” she noted. “Few people take the time to read the small print on those tech devices they frequently acquire. Thus, the focus is on teaching how to care for these batteries throughout their functional life and what steps to take at the conclusion of that life regarding proper disposal and recycling.”

Currently, Allen County boasts eight designated collection locations where individuals can drop off their used batteries for recycling without any fees, and Patton mentioned that the grant will aid in expanding this initiative.

The department is also collaborating with Bin Chen, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue Fort Wayne, who indicated that the project could create training and research opportunities for numerous students who will serve as battery ambassadors.

“The advantage of this initiative is that we can engage our students in the process, which I believe will be highly beneficial for them,” Chen articulated in written comments. “We will establish a capable team of our students to assist in public education regarding the correct methods for disposing of batteries.”

Alongside resident education, Stop the Spark will train first responders and personnel at hazardous waste facilities on how to appropriately manage outdated batteries.

In a press release, the Allen County Board of Commissioners commended the department for its efforts, noting that the team is ahead in various sectors.

“Their initiatives in recycling and education prevent hundreds of tons of waste from entering our landfills while helping sustain our county’s natural resources,” stated the board. “The programs, education, and recycling initiatives resulting from this esteemed grant will position Allen County as a leader—both in the state and the county—in the responsible handling and phasing out of lithium-ion batteries.”

According to Patton, the department plans to launch the campaign in early 2025 following the official distribution of the grant funds.

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