| Batteries
- Household Hazardous Waste |
| There are several types of household batteries currently on the market: |
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 | alkaline
| mercury
| lithium
| rechargeable nickel cadmium
| rechargeable alkaline
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Most of these batteries contain such metals as mercury, cadmium, lithium, and copper. All of these metals pose a potential threat to our health and the environment if they are improperly disposed of by dumping or burning.
Recycle household batteries!
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What batteries can be recycled and what happens to them? |
NOT
all household batteries need to be recycled! The metals in household batteries can be reclaimed and used in other
products, but many are now manufactured with environmentally
safe materials.
Alkaline batteries are the most common household battery and include AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt, and lantern type batteries.
If you have a battery marked Alkaline, Mercury and Cadmium free,
it can be thrown away.
Do not burn
them!
Button batteries are so-called because of their size and shape. They are used in watches, cameras, calculators, hearing aids, and electronic games. Mercuric oxide and silver oxide are their primary components.
These can be recycled.
Rechargeable batteries can be reused many times, but they do eventually wear out. These batteries can be recycled with your other household batteries. The new
rechargeable alkaline battery has the advantage that it contains no added cadmium.
But, many need to be recycled.
We use the RBRC (Rechargeable Battery
Recycling Corporation) as our battery recycler. We accept
the following Nickel
Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel
Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium
Ion (Li-ion), Small Sealed
Lead (Pb) as well as Lead Acid batteries from boats
and cars. |
Why recycle batteries? |
Mercury and mercury compounds in batteries are highly toxic to people, wildlife, and the environment. Health risks associated with mercury include kidney damage and genetic, neurological, and psychological disorders. Cadmium is a confirmed human carcinogen and is poisonous when ingested or inhaled.
Collecting household batteries for recycling keeps the metals out of landfills, burn barrels, and incinerators. It reduces our exposure to these metals, and it reclaims a valuable resource.
Remember to check your battery. If it is not Mercury or
Cadmium free please take it to one of the 10 convenient drop
off locations to be recycled. |
What can I do? |
| Use solar powered products whenever possible.
| Plug in an AC/DC adaptor when you can.
| Use rechargeable batteries, especially the new alkaline rechargeable.
| Recycle hazardous household batteries at your local collection sites.
| Pass the word about battery collection in the community.
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For a list of collection locations, take a look at our Battery Drop Off Locations
Automotive Batteries
Lead acid batteries such as car or boat
batteries can be taken to a retail store where these batteries are
sold. The store will ensure that the batteries are properly handled - you might even get a refund. You can also take the batteries to a scrap dealer or bring them to our office for proper disposal.
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