Maui County created a method to safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries damaged in the 2023 wildfires, processing several tons of EV batteries and helping with LA fires cleanup.
- The “Maui Method” uses a seven-step process including saltwater brine soaking to safely neutralize damaged lithium-ion batteries.
- Several tons of abandoned electric vehicle batteries on county lands have been processed using this method.
- A modified version was deployed to help with Los Angeles fire cleanup in 2025.
- All processed batteries must be transported off-island for final disposal since no facility exists on Maui.
- Hawaii is developing an end-of-life program for lithium-ion battery disposal statewide.
Source: Hawaii Public Radio
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