Key incidents and their origins
Based on institutional reports and feedback from experience:
Lithium batteries are frequently involved in sorting center fires, because they are not identified or removed before mechanical processing — according to professional recycling players.
A BARPI (ministerial) report notes:
41
Incidents related to lithium batteries were recorded in industrial facilities in France in 2023.
60%
approximately in the waste sector (including sorting centers).
Main origins recognized by professionals:
- Batteries in household waste or recyclables
- Crushing or perforation during mechanical sorting
- Batteries damaged during transport or handling
Lessons learned: Fire at a Veolia waste sorting and treatment site
In August 2025, a fire broke out at Veolia's Valazur site in Nice, linked to the presence of a lithium battery in the waste streams.
As part of our project, we had the opportunity to visit the site to better understand the issues related to this type of incident and to speak directly with the Veolia teams.
This visit allowed us to observe that lithium batteries, often integrated into everyday objects and sometimes misdirected through sorting channels, represent a growing challenge for recycling and waste management professionals. Difficult to detect early on, they can cause fires and endanger facilities and personnel.
Our discussions with field teams also allowed us to better understand the actions put in place to prevent these risks, secure the sites and raise awareness among users about better management of their electronic waste.
