Safety First: How to Handle Swollen Batteries in Tokyo's Year-End Cleaning

Dispose of Dangerous Batteries Safely During Year-End Cleaning

As December rolls in, Tokyo's inhabitants are deep into their year-end cleaning, clearing out items accumulated over the past months. During this time, people often find dangerous swollen batteries hidden in closets, offices, and storage spaces, including mobile phone batteries, old laptops, and e-bike batteries. Many residents are now left wondering how to properly dispose of these potentially hazardous items.

The Risks of Swollen Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are notorious for posing fire risks if they become swollen. Factors such as aging, overcharging, shock, and storage conditions can cause them to expand, overheat, leak, or even ignite. In densely populated areas like Tokyo, where many residents live in apartments and offices, the risk of fire caused by improper battery storage is a pressing concern.

Unfortunately, many local authorities classify lithium-ion batteries as "difficult-to-handle waste," which means they often do not accept them for disposal. This leads to a build-up of hazardous batteries as individuals report being turned away by cleaning authorities or retail stores, forcing many to hold on to these items for longer than necessary.

Comprehensive Collection Campaign

To address this issue, Marutto Honpo, operated by SYSTR Co., Ltd., is continuing its battery collection campaign throughout December due to increasing demand for safe disposal services. The service offers both pickup and drop-off options across all 23 wards of Tokyo, ensuring residents can eliminate fire risks by the year's end.

Key Campaign Details

- Duration: December 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025
- Service Area: All 23 wards of Tokyo (same-day and evening services available)
- Pickup Pricing: First battery: ¥5,500 (tax included); subsequent batteries: ¥2,750 each
- Drop-off Pricing: First battery: ¥3,300 (tax included); subsequent batteries: ¥2,750 each

Residents can easily schedule a pickup via phone or LINE, with same-day service available. Swollen or deformed batteries can also be safely disposed of through this service.

Common Concerns Addressed

Several issues commonly arise when dealing with waste batteries:

- Concern over swollen batteries taking up space on desks
- Being denied collection by cleaning authorities
- Discovering numerous batteries during the year-end cleanup
- Storing old batteries from offices or warehouses
- Parents looking to dispose of broken devices securely

Marutto Honpo provides a prompt solution to all these issues, offering immediate response and safe handling for items ranging from mobile batteries to old gaming consoles.