In a partnership between industry, government and higher education, a new lithium recycling program will provide convenient locations for Nevada residents to recycle everyday household items containing lithium batteries. Redwood Materials, Washoe County and Nevada Tech Hub are partnering to launch a statewide battery recycling initiative, deploying 20 smart receptacles, providing residents with easily accessible options for recycling used batteries. The program encourages the public to recycle everyday items containing lithium batteries with the goal of preventing them from going to landfills, reducing fire risks and repurposing precious critical materials. The program is set to launch in early 2026.

“Across the country, access to safe and convenient lithium battery recycling remains limited. With these batteries now found in so many everyday household items, our team knew a solution was needed,” Tricia Dutcher, external affairs program manager at Redwood Materials, said. “This project not only helps educate the public on proper recycling but also introduces the bins that make the process safe, simple and accessible. By encouraging more recycling, we can keep these potentially dangerous and toxic materials out of landfills while strengthening the domestic supply chain through the recovery of critical minerals.”

The Redwood Materials team engineered and patented smart receptacles that include temperature monitoring, fire suppressant fillers that dispense between drops to encase each battery, and sensors to ensure safety. Batteries do not need to be bagged or packaged, another common barrier to recycling. In Northern Nevada, up to 10 of the receptacles will be placed in Washoe County public buildings. The remaining bins will be distributed across the state in high-traffic locations for easy and convenient drop off. Exact locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

Nevada Tech Hub awarded $450,000 to Redwood Materials for the project implementation, funding bin construction and placement, as well as providing staff time and resources. In addition to hosting several bins, Washoe County is providing marketing support and public education on proper recycling.

“These smart bins are another major step toward building a more sustainable ecosystem here in Nevada,” Brian Beffort, sustainability manager for Washoe County, said. “By simplifying the process and removing common barriers to recycling, we’re making it easier for residents to be part of the clean energy solution. The hope is this program creates lasting benefits and can serve as a model to be scaled at a national level.”

The Nevada Tech Hub, designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, continues to identify and facilitate partnerships that accelerate innovation in lithium battery development, critical minerals and building a domestic supply chain. Business owners who are interested in hosting a recycling receptacle should reach out via email to  techhub@unr.edu.