ReMA Chair Highlights Why Recycled Materials Industry Must Lead in Fire Safety Management

In his remarks at ReMA's Gulf Coast Region's Summer Board Meeting, ReMA Chair Andy Golding discussed the major challenge of lithium-ion batteries and why recyclers need to take charge to improve fire safety management within the industry.

"I firmly believe that we have the opportunity to stay on the right side of legislation and regulation by demonstrating leadership ourselves," he said. "I would encourage every person in this room to return to your operation and review ReMA's fire best practices."

Safety measures are not complicated. Testing equipment, maintaining water systems, conducting fire drills, training employees, and regularly reviewing emergency response plans are all part of the best practices the recycled materials industry has developed.

"While we cannot eliminate every risk, we can certainly reduce them," Golding said.

He likened the issue of fire safety to the industry's experience regarding metals theft laws. For years, recyclers have worked to educate lawmakers, law enforcement, and the public about recyclers, the important role they play in the economy, and how they work to partner with law enforcement to prevent these thefts.

"ReMA will continue working with manufacturers, automakers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to better understand battery technology, where batteries are entering our material stream, and how future technologies may change the risks we face," he said.

Golding noted that it's important to recognize that lithium-ion batteries are part of the material stream and that the conversation surrounding fire safety needs to evolve.

"Less emphasis on blaming batteries and a greater emphasis on managing risk," he said. "Our responsibility is not to operate in the world we hope exists 10 years from now. Our responsibility is to operate safely and successfully in the world that exists today."

That means focusing on prevention, detection, response, and limiting the spread of fires when they occur. It also means the industry must share best practices, train employees, and ensure every operation is prepared for the risks that come with today's recycling stream.

Attributing every fire to a battery could mean avoiding harder questions that would help recyclers improve including whether the material was properly managed and whether reasonable steps were taken to avoid the fire before it spread.

"The future of our industry will be shaped by our willingness to learn, adapt, educate, and lead," Golding said.