Pellitteri Waste Systems: Safely Managing the Disposal of Rechargeable Batteries: A Call for Public Awareness and Policy Action

FMI:
Joleen Engeseth
Marketing Coordinator
608-257-6232 ext. 346
Joleene@pellitteri.com

Safely Managing the Disposal of Rechargeable Batteries: A Call for Public Awareness and Policy Action 

When rechargeable (lithium) batteries are disposed of in the trash or recycling, they pose a significant risk to combust and cause fires. In the past eight months, two Southern Wisconsin recycling facilities have experienced catastrophic damage from fires that are believed to have begun by rechargeable batteries — Columbia County Recycling and Solid Waste facility in Portage and a City of Milwaukee recycling facility. A third recycling facility fire at John’s Disposal in Whitewater may have also been caused by a rechargeable battery. Recycling Centers are particularly sensitive to fires because of the amount of paper and cardboard being recycled.

Rechargeable batteries have gained widespread popularity because they are compact, lightweight, and have high energy storage capacity, making them indispensable to our modern, on-the-go lifestyles. From cell phones, tablets, and laptops to power tools, scooters, and electric cars, rechargeable batteries power our world. As rechargeable and other, newer battery technologies become abundant in our daily lives, it is crucial to address the hazards associated with their disposal.

In writing this, I hope that we can get the word out to everyone that rechargeable batteries, and products that contain these batteries, cannot go in the trash or recycling without creating a major risk to waste handling facilities. In Wisconsin, we are fortunate to have a robust waste and recycling system infrastructure composed of recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills that keep waste contained and out of the public realm. As rechargeable and other battery technologies have become more prevalent, so have battery-related fires within these facilities. Each one of these fires has the potential to not just knock out local infrastructure, but also to threaten the lives of workers. 

The number of fires will continue to grow if these batteries are disposed of by traditional methods. Recycling facilities are complex operations, with high-tech sorting technologies. When a recycling facility has a catastrophic fire, it could take a year or more before it can be rebuilt and come back online. Landfill fires burn not just above ground, but they can get beneath the surface making them difficult to contain. These underground fires can burn for weeks until they are fully extinguished. 

We are just starting to see the effects of these battery technologies on the waste and recycling infrastructure. We need to stop disposing of batteries by normal waste and recycling methods. Battery manufacturers, retailers, politicians, and government agencies need to work quickly to create a safe and easily accessible infrastructure for battery disposal. Broader public policy and education efforts are needed now. Planning and action should be taken to encourage lawmakers to provide more concrete guidelines and options for more accessible methods to recycle and dispose of these materials.

We have working models in place with other waste products that we can adapt for batteries. For example, Wisconsin has a robust electronics takeback and recycling program supported financially by the manufacturers and sellers of electronics. Batteries could be added to this program, or we could mimic the electronics program with a separate infrastructure specifically for batteries. There is also an option for deposits on batteries so consumers would have financial incentives to take them to drop-off sites. There are other states using different methods that might work as well. There are answers and solutions available. Please call your State of Wisconsin representatives and tell them there is a problem and that you support legislation that will help keep our recycling centers, waste infrastructure system and the people working in these facilities safe.

In the meantime, we ask all Wisconsinites, please do NOT put rechargeable batteries in your trash or recycling containers. If you need to charge it…it has a battery. Don’t throw it out. Check with your municipality, county, or Call2recycle.org for a nearby drop-off site.

David Pellitteri, Vice President
Pellitteri Waste Systems, Inc.
Current Chair for the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) and Appointee on the Governor’s Council on Recycling

About Pellitteri Waste Systems

Pellitteri Waste Systems provides state-of-the-art waste disposal and recycling collection and processing service to commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout Southern Wisconsin. It is a third-generation, family-owned company based in Madison with a proud tradition of service and community involvement. Pellitteri services more than 67,000 households. The company sorted more than 145 million pounds of mixed recycling in 2022 at their local Material Recovery Facility. For more information, visit www.pellitteri.com.

Resource Links

• Wisconsin DNR: Prevent Recycling Fires By Safely Disposing Of Used Batteries
• Wisconsin DNR: Household Battery Recycling
• City of Madison: Household Batteries – Recycling
• NBC15.com: Madison Fire pushing to educate people on lithium-ion battery safety
• Earth 911: Lithium-ion Batteries near 53713 
• Dane County Clean Sweep drop-off site 
• The National Law Review: EPA Classifies Lithium Ion EV Batteries Hazardous Waste
• Safety Announcement from Pellitteri Waste Systems: Fire Hazards
• John’s Disposal: Example of a battery fire
• Pellitteri Waste Systems: Watch Your Recycling Get Sorted in this 7-minute video

Wisconsin Union: Madison-Based Clubs Teaming Up to Host Swing Dance Night at the Terrace, a Free Dance, Dance Instruction and Music Event on July 30

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2023

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/swing-dance-night

MADISON-BASED CLUBS TEAMING UP TO HOST SWING DANCE NIGHT AT THE TERRACE, A FREE DANCE, DANCE INSTRUCTION AND MUSIC EVENT, ON JULY 30

MADISON – A new free event, called Swing Dance Night on the Terrace, will come to the Memorial Union Terrace on July 30 from 7-10 p.m. and feature swing music by All That Jazz Little Big Band and swing dance instruction hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee, the Hoofer Sailing Club and the Madison Swing Social Dance Club.

Set to take place at the 40,000-square-foot outdoor dining and entertainment destination the Memorial Union Terrace, the event will feature large group demonstrations and lessons by instructors from 7-10 p.m. and live music by All That Jazz Little Big Band from 7:30-10 p.m. No dance experience is necessary, and guests can arrive at any time throughout the event to take part.

The outdoor event has capacity for thousands of guests. Seating and participation are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

While attending, guests can also enjoy on-site dining options that support thousands of free and low-cost events held at Memorial Union and Union South as well as student leadership opportunities. On-site dining options are anticipated to include pub food at der Rathskeller; house-made BBQ fare from the BBQ Stand; pizza and pasta from Strada; desserts from the Daily Scoop; pizza and appetizers from Lakeview Lounge; and more.

In the case of inclement weather, the clubs anticipate moving the event to the music and dining area der Rathskeller in Memorial Union, which is located alongside the Memorial Union Terrace.

“Guests can enjoy this event in multiple ways, from learning swing dance skills from instructors to just listening to a great live swing music performance,” Hoofer Sailing Club Commodore Catherine Gross said. “Swing Dance Night on the Terrace brings together live music, dance and the outdoors for a fun night for people of many ages and all dance skill levels.”

The WUD Music Committee hosts free concerts throughout the year at Union South and Memorial Union. Those interested in attending future Committee-hosted events can learn more about the team’s lineup at union.wisc.edu/music. Those interested in learning about other ways to enjoy the outdoors, including sailing lessons through the Hoofer Sailing Club, can visit hoofers.org. The Hoofer Sailing Club is open to all 18 and over, including those with no UW–Madison affiliation. The Madison Swing Social Dance Club provides other events throughout the year and offers ways for members to improve their dance skills or to step into the world of dance. UW–Madison students can learn more about joining the Madison Swing Social Dance Club at madisonswing.weebly.com.

More information about Swing Dance Night on the Terrace is available at union.wisc.edu/swingdance.

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About the Hoofer Sailing Club

The Hoofer Sailing Club promotes sailing at UW–Madison by providing recreational and competitive sailing instruction and equipment. Since 1939, the Club has operated under the Wisconsin Union to provide affordable, accessible sailing programs to the campus and community. Learn more about the Club: hoofersailing.org.

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee

For decades, the student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee has booked, promoted and run live, usually free concerts almost every week of the year at Wisconsin Union-run locations, such as the dining and entertainment destinations der Rathskeller in Memorial Union, the Memorial Union Terrace, and the Sett at Union South. UW–Madison students can join as members or apply for leadership roles. Learn more at union.wisc.edu/music.

About the Madison Swing Social Dance Club

The UW–Madison registered student organization, the Madison Swing Social Dance Club, provides its hundreds of members with ways to socialize and learn new swing dance skills. The organization has multiple instructors to facilitate affordable social dances and workshops and strives to ensure a fun and safe environment. The club is open to UW–Madison students of all skill and experience levels. More information is available at madisonswing.weebly.com.

Kraus-Anderson: Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County to begin construction on new $64.8 million hospital serving southwest Wisconsin

DARLINGTON, Wis. – (June 27, 2023) – Kraus-Anderson is about to begin construction on Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC), a new $64.8 million replacement hospital and clinic building located on a 36-acre site at the intersection of WI State Hwy. 23 and County Hwy. K in Darlington, Wis.  As a critical access hospital, the current facility has served the greater community and provided a full range of acute care inpatient and outpatient services since 1952. 

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15.  Keynote speakers will include U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, State Senator Howard Marklein and State Representative Todd Novak. The public is welcome to attend. 

Designed by Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA), the 80,000-square-foot hospital will feature a new emergency department, diagnostic imaging, surgical services with two operating rooms, a procedure room, medical and surgical unit, pharmacy, rehabilitation, and a vision clinic with a retail eye shop.  The hospital will also include space for behavioral health and mindfulness sessions.  In addition to the hospital, the site will house a 3,600-square-foot stand-alone building that includes two residency units and a garage for maintenance storage.

Winston Churchill once said: “A hospital is a human invention and as such can be reinvented at any time.”  Kathy Kuepers, CEO of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, added: “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.  We have been working towards our reinvention for the last four years and are very excited for the future of healthcare in Lafayette County. Like a kaleidoscope the same beautiful pieces were maintained as we are morphed into this beautiful new vision for our healthcare campus.”

In 2022, MHLC completed the financing to build a new facility. The funds include a $30.8 million revenue bond and $15 million general obligation bond in direct loans from the USDA, and a $5 million guaranteed loan, all of which will be paid for by the proceeds of the hospital.  In addition, MHLC was awarded $14 million in additional grant funds.

“Memorial Hospital provides essential care for Southwest Wisconsin, serving Wisconsinites who otherwise would face long drive times to access critical health care. This new hospital is an investment in the health, well-being, and future prosperity of Lafayette County and the surrounding areas,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to support the construction of this new hospital to give our health care professionals the facility they need to keep patients safe and healthy, help attract families and businesses to Southwestern Wisconsin, and connect more Wisconsinites to the high-quality health care they deserve, from preventative care to emergency services.”

Construction on the new hospital is expected to be completed in fall of 2024. The current facility will be in operation during construction.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson (www.krausanderson.com) is one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers, which has been leading the charge in sustainable design and construction for the last 25 years. With deep experience in healthcare construction, the company is currently ranked 15th in the nation among the top health care general contractors in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare magazine. Kraus-Anderson, an EEO/AA employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.

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Wisconsin Union: 2023 Summer Paddling Experiences Have Begun at Lakeside Outdoor UW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2023

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/outdooruw-2023

2023 SUMMER PADDLING EXPERIENCES HAVE BEGUN AT LAKESIDE OUTDOOR UW

MADISON – The Outdoor UW team has launched its summertime experiences in downtown Madison, including new services and events.

The Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, Outdoor UW, has begun offering its traditional summer paddling rentals, including single and tandem kayaks, canoes, one-person and eight-person stand-up paddleboards; event traditions, such as Family Nights on Lake Mendota and yoga classes in partnership with University Recreation and Wellbeing; and storage of privately owned kayaks and canoes. 

New to Outdoor UW’s offerings are hiking trips that end with beverages at the outdoor entertainment and dining destination the Memorial Union Terrace; paddling lessons; paddling excursions to Picnic Point, a peninsula along Lake Mendota’s shore; custom outdoor learning opportunities; rentals of a 6-foot by 9-foot floating swim pad; and rentals of new sleeping bags that aim to keep people warm when temperatures drop down as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Patrons can register for scheduled events and reserve outdoor recreation equipment online, by phone at (608) 262-1630, or by email. Patrons can also call or email the Outdoor UW team to discuss scheduling a private outdoor recreation event or creating custom private outdoor experiences for their family, friends or team.

The team also expanded its Lake Mendota-facing live music event series, called Lakefront Live, which it presents in collaboration with the student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee.

The Outdoor UW team offers year-round camping, hiking and climbing equipment rentals as well as outdoor learning and exploration opportunities. Its wintertime services include snowshoes and ice skates rentals as well as seasonal events.

“Whether someone is an avid outdoors person or is just starting to dip their toes into outdoor recreation experiences, we are ready to be their outlet to the outdoors,” Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo said.

The Wisconsin Union has a decades-long tradition of providing outdoor recreation experiences to community members and visitors, such as through six outdoor recreation clubs that make up an organization called the Wisconsin Hoofers, including the Hoofer Sailing Club, which provides access to sailing lessons on Lake Mendota. Headquartered at Outdoor UW and advised by the Outdoor UW team, all 18 and over can join the Wisconsin Hoofers and become part of a community of outdoor enthusiasts of every experience level.

Those who would like to learn more about how to explore the outdoors through Outdoor UW can visit union.wisc.edu/outdooruw.

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About Outdoor UW

Outdoor UW is the Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, offering everything from outdoor recreation equipment rentals to custom group outdoors experiences. The Outdoor UW team also advises six outdoors clubs, which make up the Wisconsin Hoofers, and Hoofer Council, the governing body of the Hoofers. Outdoor UW is part of the Wisconsin Union, which is the UW–Madison Division of Social Education. Learn more about Outdoor UW: union.wisc.edu/outdooruw.

Wisconsin Union: A Rainbow of Terrace Chairs Will Makes a Limited-Time Appearance at Memorial Union on June 21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2023

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/pride-chairs-2023

A RAINBOW OF TERRACE CHAIRS WILL MAKE A LIMITED-TIME APPEARANCE AT MEMORIAL UNION ON JUNE 21

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union team will bring out a few Terrace chairs in colors not usually seen at Memorial Union, such as blue and purple, to join with yellow, orange and green Terrace chairs near the front steps of Memorial Union on June 21 from 2-5 p.m. in recognition of Pride Month.

The team invites patrons to take photos with the chairs. The rainbow of chairs previously made appearances at the outdoor dining and entertainment destination the Memorial Union Terrace in 2019 and 2022.

The Wisconsin Union team is further celebrating Pride Month by flying a Pride flag at its buildings Union South and Memorial Union throughout June, except June 16-18 during which a Juneteenth flag will be at both buildings. The Wisconsin Union team is also offering free sunburst image Pride buttons at Union South and Memorial Union, while supplies last.

The sunburst design on the more than 2,000 Terrace chairs, including those presented as part of Pride Month and those at the Memorial Union Terrace, is a trademarked image with early versions dating back to the 1930s. The sunburst has become a well-known image that is synonymous with Madison summers.

The Wisconsin Union marketing team has previously created multiple Pride Month computer and phone wallpapers, which can be downloaded for free here.

Recent 2023 Pride Month events included the Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee’s two free Lakeside Cinema film showings: “Booksmart” on June 5 and “But I’m a Cheerleader” on June 12.

Patrons can visit the Union’s website to learn more about the Pride Terrace chairs at the Terrace.

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About the Wisconsin Union

The non-profit Wisconsin Union strives to enhance and support student leadership and community engagement, including through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities and by providing world-class support services, such as those offered through its events management office. The Wisconsin Union includes the Center for Leadership and Involvement, the Wisconsin Singers, StudentPrint, UW–Madison Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee, the University Club, UW Conference Centers, the Senior Class Office, and the Fluno Center. Learn more: union.wisc.edu.