Preventing Expanding Battery Accidents During Moving Season in Tama Region

Handling Lithium-ion Batteries Safely During the Moving Season

April marks a bustling time for relocations, whether it’s students moving to new homes or families shifting houses. In the Tama region, an increase in inquiries about disposing of lithium-ion batteries—often stored in homes, offices, or garages for extended periods—becomes evident. Among these are swollen mobile batteries, laptop batteries, and those from electric assist bicycles.

The Rise in Battery Disposal Queries

The move-in season triggers major cleaning efforts, leading many to discover batteries they had long stashed away. Specifically, cities like Tachikawa, Hachioji, and Machida are home to numerous single-family and garage-attached residences where old or swollen batteries can lurk unnoticed. Additionally, students are frequently cycling into and out of new living spaces, increasing the likelihood of finding mobile phones, laptops, and chargers as they prepare for their new chapters.

In many cases, businesses or warehouses also unearth old laptops, tablets, and electric tools during internal reorganizations. Unfortunately, many residents do not know how to dispose of these lithium-ion batteries properly, leading to prolonged hazardous storage.

Challenges in Battery Disposal

Lithium-ion batteries can be categorized as difficult-to-dispose items by many municipalities, which means they often cannot be thrown in regular landfill or non-burnable trash. Problems arise such as being declined at cleaning centers or fearing involvement due to swelling batteries, which could lead to dangerous storage conditions.

To address these issues, Marutto Honpo, operated by SYSTR Inc., offers a robust battery collection service in the Tama area throughout April. This endeavor focuses on the safe removal of swollen and damaged lithium-ion batteries, ensuring compliance with laws and proper fire management standards.

Campaign Overview

Campaign Title: Lithium-ion Battery Collection Flat-rate Campaign (Tama Area)
Duration: April 1, 2026 - April 30, 2026
Service Areas: Over 26 cities in metropolitan Tama
Contact Method: Inquiries via LINE or phone (there's an option to send images for estimates)

Price: ¥7,700 (tax included) for the first battery, ¥3,300 for subsequent batteries.
Eligible Items: Smartphone batteries, mobile batteries, laptop batteries, and electric tool batteries.
* Condition: Can include swollen or deformed items.

All transport and safety measures are included in this pricing model.

Geographic Coverage

The service primarily focuses on the following cities where demand has been identified:

- Tachikawa: Areas like Shibaseki, Nishikicho, and Akebonochō frequently report battery collection requests.
- Hachioji: Requests are increasing relating to battery disposal from garages and storage units.
- Machida: Particularly among students preparing for transitions, battery-related inquiries are rising.

Similarly, neighboring cities also report increased collection requests, making this campaign timely.

Common Queries About Battery Disposal

With movements and new beginnings on the horizon, April coincides with heightened concerns around battery management in the region. Residents face numerous battery disposal challenges, such as:

- Concerns about the fire risk from storing old batteries in garages or sheds.
- Situations where tradizionale disposal avenues are unavailable and guidelines unclear.
- Uncertainty regarding the safety of old batteries stored through different seasons.

Since many of these lithium-ion batteries carry inherent risks, appropriate handling becomes increasingly critical as storage time lengthens.

Better Safe Than Sorry

In the face of the dangers these batteries can pose, particularly post-move when batteries are frequently displaced or disturbed, minimizing risk is essential. Marutto Honpo aims to address these concerns promptly, providing efficient and safe disposal solutions. Residents in Tama can take advantage of this specialized disposal service, take action, and remove hazardous items from their homes effectively.