Home » Healthy Living » Green Living » Recycling

How to dispose of batteries properly

Ranked #643 in Healthy Living, #14,737 overall

Before you drop those spent batteries in the trash...

Consider doing something else with your old batteries.  Unlike glass, paper, and plastic, which fill up landfills, but are relatively benign, batteries are filled with reactive chemicals.  Take a minute to learn more about how you can properly dispose of batteries, and help keep hazardous, toxic chemicals out of landfills.

And next time you need new batteries, consider getting some rechargeables.  Two AA Ni-Cad rechargeable batteries can replace up to 600 single-use batteries.

Koo-koo-kachoo! Thank you, Squidoo!

This lens has been selected as Squidoo's Lens of the Day for July 2, 2008. I'm so excited!

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you find some useful information here. Cheers!

Three important safety tips for dead batteries

1. Never dispose of batteries in fire, as they could explode.

2. Remove worn-out batteries from equipment immediately and dispose of promptly.

3. Do not attempt to recharge a battery unless the battery specifically is marked "rechargeable." Dispose of immediately.

Video information on how and why to recycle batteries

Battery Recycle
by AsktheBuilder | video info

28 ratings | 25,617 views
curated content from YouTube

Find out where you can take your batteries with this handy search

Over at Earth 911, you can type in the type of thing you need to dispose or recycle (like batteries, mobile phone, computer stuff, etc.) and your zip code, and you will get a list of local places to drop your junk. Give it a try!

If you're making a trip to a drop-off location, why not involve your neighborhood or school in a group project? Place a collection bin in a common area, or have people save their own batteries and electronics discards until a certain day. Then once a month or so, take all of the batteries and other electronics to the designated recycling drop-off location. Hooray!

Call2Recycle: another resource for recycling rechargeable batteries

Visit Call2Recycle to search for a place to take your used rechargeable batteries and cell phones.

From the site:
Call2Recycle, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) can help you recycle your used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb). RBRC is dedicated to keeping rechargeable batteries and cell phones out of our nation's solid waste stream and preserving natural resources.

Learn more about what to do with old batteries

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Not all batteries are accepted as hazardous waste in all areas

switch to rechargeable batteries!

In most parts of the US, household alkaline batteries (non-rechargeable AA and AAA type batteries) are not classified as hazardous waste, and are supposed to be put in the trash. Some people have reported that their local hazardous waste offices have refused to accept batteries at hazardous waste drop-offs, and they have been directed to put them with the regular garbage.

This is because in the US, batteries manufactured after May 13, 1996 contain no added mercury (except for button cell batteries, which contain a little bit of mercury), and are less hazardous to the environment than they used to be.

However, in California and in a few other places, household alkaline batteries may be regulated more strictly. To find out what to do with used batteries in your area, search at Earth 911 or The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC).

So, if you have a choice between buying and using regular batteries for your household electronics (remote control, smoke detector, flashlights, etc.), and rechargeable batteries, what will you choose? The regular alkaline batteries, which can't be recharged, reused, or easily recycled, and end up in the landfill; or the rechargeables, which can be recharged, reused, and recycled when you're finished with them?

Get rechargeable batteries! Let's all do it together!

Check out these new USB rechargeable batteries

I think these little USB rechargeable batteries are going to be huge. They are NiMH cells, rechargeable at any USB port. You don't need a cradle and cable. Just charge and go. Not only are they easy to use, but they are nicer for the environment, by preventing the disposal of lots of regular batteries. I don't remember all the chemistry of batteries in landfills (those grad-school brain cells have been taken over by new bits of information, like the names of all four Wiggles), but batteries in landfills are bad! Did you know that two AA Ni-Cad rechargeable batteries can replace up to 600 single-use batteries?

In addition to AA cells, they will be available in AAA, 9 volt, and sizes for cell phones and PDAs. Visit usbcell.com for more information.

Reduce the number of batteries you toss, by using rechargeables

Loading

See some interesting photos of recycling batteries

Battery Recycling by moria
You can recycle batteries in the street in Zaragoza by currybet
curated content from Flickr

More links and resources related to battery disposal and recycling

The Battery Recycling Bin
The Battery Recycling Bin allows batteries to be dropped through the small security hole in the top . Once full, the contents can be secured by locking down the outer security lid. The high strength double walls have integral hand holes which enables the fully loaded bin to be lifted ready for transit.
Recycling Containers, Recycling Bins, Waste Receptacles, Aluminum Can Crushers
From recycling containers, waste containers, trash cans, and aluminum can crushers to office waste systems, outdoor waste basket receptacles, mobile collection carts, recycling bins, tilt trucks and more. We have a large assortment of recycling bins and waste receptacles that will fill any of your recycling needs.
Processing Waste Batteries - WRAP (UK)
So what happens once the batteries have been collected and sorted?
Sustainable Moraga :: Battery Recycling Program
Sustainable Moraga was the only group in Contra Costa County to implement the California Universal Waste Rule that as of February 9, 2006 prohibits battery disposal in landfills.
If It's a Rechargeable Battery, It's Recyclable at RadioShack!
Whether it is recycling rechargeable batteries or cellular phones, expanding our commitment to environmental quality, or providing an environmentally friendly workplace, RadioShack is not just interested but involved in what lies ahead for the next generation.
EIA Environments E-cycling Central
Click on your state below to find reuse, recycling, and donation programs across the country for your electronic products.
Rayovac - Environmental FAQ's
Rayovac - Environmental FAQ's - How and where can I recycle my batteries?
Duracell: Battery Disposal
It is important not to dispose of large amounts of alkaline batteries in a group. Used batteries are often not completely "dead." Grouping used batteries together can bring these "live" batteries into contact with one another, creating safety risks.
Panasonic Batteries Environmental and Recycling Information
The following are general guidelines concerning the proper disposal of Panasonic batteries in all 50 states. This applies to both consumers and
non-consumers unless otherwise indicated.
Battery Disposal Guide for Households - Where to Safely Recycle Used Batteries
What to do with all those old batteries around your home! Specific information to help you recycle and dispose of them in an environmentally sound manner!
Will Taft . com » Blog Archive » Yes, We Do Need To Recycle Alkaline Batteries
Yes, We Do Need To Recycle Alkaline Batteries Dateline Trail, B.C, Canada - Toxco Corporation. This just in, now help spread the word… We can and should recycle alkaline batteries.

Want to share a tip on recycling old batteries? Go ahead!

submit
Show All

by

hmsweaver

Mom-Geek-Blogger. You can visit Bella Twilight Shop and Geek Mom Mashup to see more of what I do, or HeatherWeaver.com for more about me! Thanks for v... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags