How to Avoid Starting a Literal Dumpster Fire

Recapping “Beyond the Bin” at LA Climate Week 2024

On April 7, 2024, Women in Cleantech & Sustainability – Los Angeles hosted Beyond the Bin: The Right Way to Recycle Batteries & E-Waste, a hands-on event and educational panel held at the LA Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion as part of LA Climate Week. From curbside confusion to shocking stats about improper battery disposal, the event unpacked the hidden dangers of e-waste and how our everyday choices as consumers and organizations can prevent, yes, actual dumpster fires.

🔥 Wait, What Do You Mean by Dumpster Fire?

We mean that literally. When e-waste like lithium batteries is thrown in the regular trash, it can spark and ignite fires inside trash trucks, landfills, and recycling facilities. It’s a growing problem across the country—and one we can tackle with a little knowledge and a lot of care. The National Waste and Recycling Association estimates that over 5,000 fires occur annually at recycling facilities, with many likely linked to lithium-ion batteries improperly placed in recyclables. (Source: https://resource-recycling.com/recycling/2024/01/22/study-finds-rising-risk-of-lithium-ion-fires/)

Our expert panelists, each representing a different part of LA’s circular e-waste economy, shared critical insights on how to properly dispose of tech, batteries, and household hazardous materials, both as individuals and as organizations.

🧠 What You Think Can Go in the Trash… Probably Can’t

Environmental Engineering Associate Carolina Corona from LA Sanitation & Environment and Sara Fuentes, CEO and Founder of SmartWaste, helped clarify common misunderstandings about what belongs in your curbside bin. Spoiler: if it lights up, beeps, or contains a battery or cord, it likely doesn’t belong there. She offered practical consumer tips, like:

Taping over battery terminals before disposal to prevent short-circuiting
Double-bagging broken CFL bulbs, which may contain mercury, and bringing them to a SAFE collection center
Bringing electronics, batteries, and household hazardous waste to designated drop-off facilities instead of placing them in household trash or recycling

Carolina also highlighted LA Sanitation’s growing network of SAFE Centers and educational outreach programs aimed at giving every Angeleno access to safe disposal options across LA County.

♻️ Business as a Force for Good

Lori Yalem of Homeboy Electronics Recycling shared how her organization has been pioneering ethical, secure electronics recycling in LA for years, with a mission. As a B-Corp and social enterprise, Homeboy not only processes and responsibly recycles old electronics but also creates job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. Their model is proof that a circular economy can also be a just and equitable one.

Lori emphasized the value of refurbishment over replacement and how giving old tech a second life can extend the value of materials, reduce carbon emissions, and support local workers.

🔋 Battery Life After EV: What Happens Next?

Zora Chung, CFO and co-founder of ReJoule, brought the high-voltage perspective. ReJoule is developing technology to diagnose and optimize used EV batteries so they can be safely reused or recycled. With tens of thousands of electric vehicles on California roads today, Zora highlighted the importance of developing systems to ensure their batteries don’t become the next e-waste crisis.

She also spoke passionately about building a circular economy and using every possible ounce of value before materials hit the recycling stream, a key principle in reaching our sustainability goals.

🏗️ Infrastructure Behind the Scenes

SmartWaste, represented by founder Sara Fuentes, kicked off the event with a crash course on universal waste and how SmartWaste is working to build the infrastructure needed to responsibly collect, track, and process materials through every phase of their disposal lifecycle. From workplace collection programs to pursuing R2 (Responsible Recycling) certification, SmartWaste is helping organizations understand their role and accountability in the waste management process.

💡 So… What Can You Do?

Ask about the end-of-life plan for every electronic/battery-operated item purchase.
Don’t toss batteries, electric toothbrushes, electronics, or light bulbs in the trash – even the tiny ones.
Store used batteries safely (taped and in a container), and take them to a collection site.
Familiarize yourself with your local recycling and hazardous waste facilities. LA Sanitation’s SAFE Centers are a great place to start.
Support companies and services that prioritize ethical recycling and circular practices.
Share what you learn! The more people understand proper e-waste disposal, the safer and greener our communities will be.

💚 Thank You!

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the time and insights of our amazing panelists:

Carolina Corona, LA Sanitation & Environment
Lori Yalem, Homeboy Electronics Recycling
Zora Chung, ReJoule

A Huge Shoutout to Our LA Chapter Leaders!

None of this would’ve had the same impact without the wildly successful e-waste collection drive—and that’s thanks to Akanksha Mathur, who spearheaded the coordination and logistics for the entire event and drop-off experience. Attendees were able to easily drive through and responsibly dispose of their old electronics and batteries, turning good intentions into real action. We’re incredibly grateful for her dedication and behind-the-scenes magic!

And big thanks to our event sponsors:
SmartWaste, LA Sanitation, and Sungrow for supporting community education and environmental action in Los Angeles.

To everyone who attended, asked great questions, brought their old tech to recycle, and committed to doing better: Thank you. You are the reason the fire stays out of the dumpster.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Recycle right, educate others, and go beyond the bin.