you've identified a risk. Its not actually different to a lot of other consumer risks. Maybe there is a vicarious liability to the original vendor, but I bet that dell battery had warning signs on it, the IBM ones I'm sitting on, definitely have yellow hazard markings and disposal information and the paper I got on delivery (and throw away unread) probably told me about a risk which I ignored. Kinda (I am saying) like you.
You were told about this. Its been a "thing" long enough, there are signs in airports about packing Lithium batteries.
Its a "thing" long enough that the 787 battery fire is a "thing"
"I hung onto a potentially explosive battery long enough, it actually caught fire, despite having been told it, when I got it" isn't a good basis for an insurance obligation if you ask me.
they're covered in risk and recycle instructions. It doesn't specifically say "don't keep me more than 5 years" or anything.
Dell probably paid a battery disposal levy to sell the device. More recent devices in Australia have to declare on this.
Personally, I think this sucks but it'd be either clunky devices or shorter life or more expensive or, my preference, less planned obsolescence. That demands process, industry costs like shared battery designs, business to swap and replace. We have some, not a lot of that.
I hoard old tech. This is my nightmare up on the 9th floor. I need to dispose of some laptop batteries.
A good reminder to risk. Thanks.