In my limited understanding, the danger of shorting (and/or residual electrical charge) is merely one of the disposal risks associated with lithium-based batte

In my limited understanding, the danger of shorting (and/or residual electrical charge) is merely one of the disposal risks associated with lithium-based batteries. For example, the raw materials innate chemical volatility may lead to combustion reactions upon crushing or piercing, which often happens during general rubbish disposal processes. Several fires at rubbish processing centers in my area were suspected to have been caused like that, and now, while it's not (yet) against the law here to dispose of them in this way, nobody will actually knowingly let you do it - it's strongly frowned upon.