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Resident expert warns of EV-battery risks; DeKalb says batteries go to special recycling, not landfill
Summary
An attendee with automotive experience pressed the county on risks from lithium-ion batteries in landfill-bound waste; Director McKinney said EV batteries are diverted to special recycling programs and the landfill accepts only 'potentiate' (patricable) waste as part of a diversion plan.
An attendee with 17 years in automotive collision work warned about the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries in vehicles and asked what DeKalb is doing to protect sanitation workers and landfill operations. The resident noted there is currently limited infrastructure for safe battery disposal and firefighter rescue when battery fires occur.
Director Eugene McKinney said EV batteries and other hazardous components are part of the county's diversion program and do not go to the landfill; he said the department relies on special recycling programs and is working to find local markets or grinding/reuse options for materials such as tires. McKinney acknowledged the higher cost of electric-vehicle adaptations for collection trucks and said light-duty vehicles have presented incidents that prompted safety protocols.
Staff emphasized the need to keep hazardous items out of curbside containers and pointed to special drop-off programs for hard-to-handle materials.
