I've been saving my used batteries (before going rechargeable) and have been trying to find a local place to take them for recycling. (None of my usual local recycle places take them). I've been looking online for the answer to this question and stumbled upon a webpage for South Carolina that instructs me to just throw them out with my household garbage... this doesn't seem right, as at least the metal of the battery could be recycled.
I've observed South Carolina as being a wee bit behind the times in other arenas, and suspect this may be the case with my battery recycling issue. Here's the link that told me to just throw the batteries away: http://www.chasdoc.org/2006/documents/RECYCLING.pdf
What should I do?
2007-10-15 02:20:16 · 0 answers · asked by C M 2 in Environment ➔ Green Living
Good question. Id like to start by stating I have worked in environmental and recycling industry for the past 10 years in which time I have also written numerous guidance documents for battery disposal.
Of all the battery types out there your Alkaline tend to be the least hazardous and safest to manage. However, many recylcers do not take them because of the small volume of recoverable metal they contain. Many consumers will try to "recycle" these batteries, but typically if you return them or turn them in at a town "recycling day" event they will most likely end up in a landfill anyway - So you may save time and go directly to the trash at home.
But please do note that this is for alkaline batteries only - Other battery types pose a great risk to the environment and should be recycled when possible (batteries such as Ni-Cad, Lithium, lead acid, etc). And one other point - Alkaline batteries used to contain mercury (this was made illegal back in 1986) so check you alkalines to ensure they do not contain mercury before chucking in the trash - Mercury batteries should go to a recycler as well...
Hope this helps
2007-10-15 06:25:50 · answer #1 · answered by basnake 1 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Recycling batteries is not only a good idea, it is a law in the US to recycle regulated batteries, and is enforced by the EPA (for what thats worth). Most communities have a residential hazardous waste collection at least once a year, and this is a good place to dispose of batteries.
Batteries contain many heavy metals that can leach from landfills and into groundwater where they can be an extreme health risk to humans if they contaminate drinking water supplies. Nickel-Cadmium, mercury, and lead batteries are just a few of those regulated by the EPA. Here is a link with some more detailed info.
2007-10-15 06:06:22 · answer #2 · answered by scott t 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers batteries "Universal Waste." Based on the information I found on the following EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/battery.htm#rec
I would include my non-mercury alkaline batteries when recycling. Although a particular state's environmental regulations may be more stringent than the EPA's, they can never be less. The link you provided is from a documentary film festival and not a government website, therefore I would not trust the information provided. The link above includes information about where to recycle batteries, and if this doesn't help you should contact your local government (health or sanitation department).
2007-10-15 07:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by hazelcreevy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work at a Radioshack and Alkaline and Lithium batteries cannot be recycled. The website is correct you are supposed throw them away with the garbage. Only rechargable batteries can be recycled.
2007-10-15 05:18:04 · answer #4 · answered by The Man from Nowhere 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think Radio Shack recycles them. When I bought a battery there yesterday I gave them the old one to throw away. The clerk said some people liked to keep the dead one and I supposed that was so they could recycle it. He said Radio Shack was the place to take dead batteries for recycling and that my dead battery would be recycled.
2007-10-15 02:36:01 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avz2g
Most meters (like the one you described) have a setting on the left side of the dial that has a picture of a small battery and the numbers 1.5v Turn the dial to that setting and touch the red lead to the positive of the battery and the black lead to the negative. Your results will be displayed on the screen. Hope this helps.
2016-04-05 07:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-03-05 04:20:19 · answer #7 · answered by Dagostino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe IKEA has a recycling program available to the general public.
2007-10-15 03:47:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes u need to put them in ur dishwasher first, gets rid of the acidity.
2007-10-15 02:59:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋