How to recycle batteries

From cellphones to children's toys, batteries are everywhere.  They power our electronics and make modern living a little bit easier for everyone.  Unfortunately, a lot of us don't recycle batteries, unaware of the negative repercussions of these heavy metal, energy-giving concoctions.  Thrown into the trash, batteries leak toxic chemicals into the soil and water, some are even considered hazardous, and are not legally permitted in the waste stream.  Find out how to recycle batteries; as with most recyclables, its actually really easy.

Battery recycling options

Recycling batteries is as simple as knowing what your dealing with, and where to put it.  There are two basic classes of dry batteries — single-use and rechargeable.  Single-use are basically alkaline manganese batteries.  They are not technically considered to be hazardous waste, and can legally be thrown away in the garbage.  Learning how to recycle single-use batteries is much safer for the environment.  You may even sleep well at night, knowing your used AA's are being reformed into useful metals. 

You can either drop-off used alkaline manganese batteries at local sites, or mail-them in.  To find out they can be dropped-off, either call your local waste management services, or use Earth 911, where you can find recycling centers for just about anything, anywhere in the country.  Many local markets, electronics stores, and public facilities have battery recycling programs. 

For mail-in services it does cost money.  Battery Solutions for example, is a great resource for recycling electronic waste, from all types of batteries to used cell phones.  For $34.50, they will send you the packaging to mail your materials in, called a kit.  The box, shipping, and recycling costs are included in the price.  This basic kit is designed to hold a year's worth of batteries.

With rechargeable batteries, recycling is not an option, but the law.  Nickel-cadmium rechargeable are hazardous waste; they cannot be thrown away.  Nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries do not contain highly dangerous cadmium, but they still should be properly disposed of to prevent heavy metal pollution.

Call 2 Recycle is the ultimate rechargeable battery recycling resource.  They offer 30,000 drop-off locations around the country where rechargeable batteries and cellphones can be safely turned in.  Simply visit the website, type in your zip code, and the nearest drop-off sites are listed.  These batteries are separated with heat, yielding a variety of metals which can be reused. 

Its really that simple to make the earth a little safer, greener, and brighter for everyone. 

photo by Scalespeeder