Recycling Resources by Location
Batteries: The Curbside Recycling Nemesis!
Batteries are everywhere. From greeting cards to toys and tools, from our cell phones and devices to electric bikes and vehicles, batteries have become a big part of everyday life. But what happens when that battery can no longer hold a charge and is ready for disposal? Unfortunately, this moment has become a point of confusion leading to dangerous conditions.
Batteries are one of, if not THE most dangerous item you can place in a recycling (or trash) bin. Lithium-ion batteries, found in cell phones, laptops, vaping devices, electric toothbrushes, e-bikes and scooters, and so much more, have the potential to catch fire, and if improperly disposed of, they cause a huge danger to the waste industry. If this type of battery is damaged, even if it has no charge, it will spark and ignite. Fires can occur in collection trucks for recycling or trash, or in waste facilities like our Materials Recovery Facilities.
The year 2022 saw the highest number of reported fires in US and Canadian waste and recycling facilities since Fire Rover began tracking facility fires (Quinn, 2023). Battery fires threaten our sorters and team members, as well as your recyclables and the recycling equipment at the facility. So, what should you do with dead batteries?
- First and most importantly, never place lithium batteries in your trash or recycling bin.
- Look up your local municipality’s page for recycling. In the interest of keeping their collection workers and your local community safe, they will likely list instructions for disposing of batteries and other hazardous items. There may be designated drop off points, or there may be hazardous waste events that occur on specific dates.
- Look up stores and public locations that accept these materials back for safe disposal and recycling. In some states, like New York, if a store sells a certain type of rechargeable battery, they are required by law to accept it back for safe disposal.
- Spread the word! Help educate others about the dangers of improper battery disposal, and what they can do instead. Every little bit counts.
Keep your local waste and recycling workers and facilities safe by looking up your local options for safe battery disposal. Thank you for keeping batteries out of your recycling bin!
Want to know more? These resources can help!
- Call to Recycle: https://www.call2recycle.org/
- The Recycling Partnership: https://recyclingpartnership.org/what-can-i-recycle/
- EPA: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-household-batteries
- NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-recycle-batteries/
City of Austin: https://www.austintexas.gov/batteries
