Ensuring Safe Smartphone Disposal in an Era of Battery Fires

The Growing Concern of Smartphone Battery Fires

In recent years, incidents involving fires from lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in smartphones and mobile devices, have become increasingly alarming. According to NITE (the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation), over 1,800 fire-related accidents have been reported in the last five years, with around 80% resulting in fires.
Moreover, the Ministry of the Environment states that there are over 8,000 annual incidents linked to lithium-ion batteries at waste disposal facilities and collection vehicles across Japan. The root causes for these fires include battery degradation, neglect of swollen battery packs, storage and usage in high temperatures, internal damage due to impact, and incorrect disposal methods. This underscores that any smartphone can be at risk of combustion.

Additionally, it's estimated that there are over 300 million ‘buried smartphones’ in Japan—devices that are no longer in use, posing not only a fire threat but also risks of personal data leakage. The threat of these neglected devices has prompted the need for safer disposal solutions.

Introducing ZAURUS: A Solution to Data Security and Safe Disposal

ZAURUS, operated by Gear Company based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, aims to address these concerns by offering a physical destruction service for smartphones, effectively ensuring data security during the disposal process. A survey conducted with 1,531 service users revealed that:

- 72.0% were concerned about data leaks,
- 42.1% stated their devices wouldn’t power on to erase data,
- 32.9% were unsure of proper disposal methods,
- 29.8% struggled with disposal due to battery swelling.

This data highlights significant anxiety around safely disposing of smartphones among users.
ZAURUS counters these fears by employing certified technicians to safely remove the lithium-ion batteries from smartphones and subsequently use specialized shredders to physically destroy the devices into 4mm by 15mm fragments. This process minimizes the risk of ignition during destruction and implements a recommended method for data erasure known as “physical destruction,” rendering any data unrecoverable.

Convenience Through Online Services

The safety and practicality of using ZAURUS has been highlighted through its rise in popularity, especially after being featured on the TV news program “News It” in December 2024. The store applications surged post-broadcast, with a staggering 178% increase in the number of applications from January to August 2025 compared to the previous year. To accommodate this growing demand, the company has launched a nationwide online application service. Users can complete their disposal requests in just minutes from their smartphones or computers and send in their devices for safe disposal.
This service encapsulates three key values: safety, convenience, and non-contact interaction, redefining the experience of smartphone disposal.

Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

Gear Company prioritizes the principles of a Circular Economy through repair, safe disposal, and resource recycling. Damaged devices are repaired, while those that cannot be reused are safely destroyed, and the resulting materials undergo recycling. From lithium-ion batteries, valuable metals such as cobalt and nickel are extracted, while materials from the shredded devices also yield precious metals like gold, silver, copper, and palladium, contributing to a sustainable resource-cycle society.
The proper handling of electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries is crucial for both environmental and societal safety. Through ZAURUS, Gear Company is committed to delivering services that prioritize both consumer safety and a brighter environmental future.

Service Overview

- Service Name: Smartphone Disposal ZAURUS
- Official Website: ZAURUS Official Site
- Key Features: Complete data erasure via physical destruction, safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries, and recycling
- Application Method: Online through the official website
- Operating Company: Gear Company (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo)
- Corporate Site: Gear Company