Battery Recycling Grant Sparks Controversy Among Indiana Tech Alumni

A rivalry between Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana Tech alumni at a battery recycling event.

FORT WAYNE, IN—What began as a $1.7 million win for Allen County's environmental future has devolved into an academic feud of truly electrifying proportions. The Allen County Department of Environmental Management (ACDEM) proudly announced its partnership with Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) to expand battery recycling and prevent lithium-ion battery fires, but not everyone is charged up with excitement. Alumni of Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) have taken to social media and local radio to allege that the grant allocation was shockingly biased.

“Are we supposed to believe the Department of Energy just happened to pick Allen County and PFW for this?” said Indiana Tech alum and self-proclaimed watchdog Travis “Battery Truth” Womack. “The bias is crystal clear. Indiana Tech has a state-of-the-art engineering program, but we didn’t even get a courtesy call. This is yet another example of the ‘Purdue-political complex’ at work.”

The Grant That Started It All: Battery Recycling Grant

The $1.7 million grant, awarded as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is designed to educate residents on battery safety and reduce fires caused by improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries. The county’s “Stop the Spark” campaign will include public service announcements, battery drop-off stations, and safety workshops.

Betsy Perry Patton, ACDEM's communications and outreach coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the project. “Lithium-ion batteries are becoming a major fire hazard. This campaign isn’t about academic rivalries; it’s about saving lives and protecting the environment.”

But to Indiana Tech alumni, the explanation doesn't hold water—or electrolytes.

The Allegations

Indiana Tech alums have filed grievances ranging from claims of cronyism to outright favoritism in federal grant awards. “The Purdue partnership is a slap in the face to Fort Wayne’s other educational institutions,” said Joanna Draycott, a 2015 Indiana Tech graduate in environmental engineering. “Allen County has always leaned toward PFW because it’s the bigger name, but Indiana Tech has equally capable experts who could have led this initiative.”

Draycott noted that Indiana Tech already has a sustainability program, a robotics team that works with electronic components, and “at least three people who have recycled a battery this year.”

A Shock to Local Collaboration

Indiana Tech students are reportedly staging protests, though they’re hard to distinguish from regular coffee shop study sessions. One group, calling itself “Batteries Over Boilermakers,” has vowed to petition the Department of Energy for transparency.

Meanwhile, Purdue Fort Wayne seems unbothered. “We were chosen because of our existing relationship with the community and our history of impactful environmental projects,” said Dr. Susan Reilly, a professor of environmental science at PFW. “Indiana Tech is great at what they do, but this isn’t about competing for accolades. It’s about mitigating fire risks in a growing technological landscape.”

The rivalry has spilled into other local sectors. A local battery recycling event turned hostile when an Indiana Tech alum handed out flyers reading, “Don’t Let Purdue Steal Your Thunder (or Your Batteries).” One observer described it as “the most passive-aggressive recycling day in Fort Wayne history.”

A Surge of Questions

Critics also question the campaign’s catchy name, “Stop the Spark.” Womack believes Indiana Tech’s marketing students could have done better. “It’s like they didn’t even try,” he said, clutching a homemade flyer reading “Revolt Against Sparks!”

Others wonder if the partnership between Allen County and PFW will create an imbalance in future grants. “What’s next?” asked Draycott. “Are they going to give PFW exclusive rights to paper straw initiatives? This is a slippery slope.”

The Defense

Despite the drama, Patton stood firm, reiterating that PFW was selected for its robust public engagement resources. “This isn’t about who gets the credit. We’re here to make a difference,” she said, eyeing a growing pile of protest signs reading, “PFW: Pretty Frivolous Waste.”

Local officials are growing weary of the rivalry. “If Indiana Tech wants to get involved, we welcome them,” said County Commissioner Tim Green. “There’s plenty of work to do. We have batteries literally bursting into flames over here.”

The Future

Indiana Tech alumni say they won’t let this perceived slight go unchallenged. “We’ll keep fighting,” Womack said, setting up a battery collection point in his driveway to prove Indiana Tech’s competence. “If Purdue thinks they can monopolize battery recycling, they’ve got another thing coming. We’re charged up and ready to go.”

Meanwhile, PFW students remain focused on the task at hand. “We’re just here to stop the fires,” said junior Emma Caldwell, who is interning with the “Stop the Spark” campaign. “But honestly, if Indiana Tech wants to help, they should just drop off their batteries at one of our stations. No hard feelings.”

The Department of Energy, when reached for comment, simply said, “We regret nothing.”

As the feud escalates, Allen County residents can only hope their bins—and tempers—don’t overheat.

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