How do I dispose of AA bateries responsibly?
Asked by
rreppa (
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)
March 22nd, 2010
Should I just throw them in the trash? Are the materials toxic? Is there a recycling program I should follow?
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17 Answers
@rreppa
If you are in the USA take them to a Radio Shack. Batteries are not to be “Thrown out”
Mercury has been a concern but according to Durucell they no longer add it to batteries.
According to the site it’s fine to just throw em’ away.
The following is from the Durucell site:
“Alkaline batteries can be safely disposed of with normal household waste. Never dispose of batteries in fire because they could explode.
Due to concerns about mercury in the municipal solid waste stream, we have voluntarily eliminated all of the added mercury from our alkaline batteries since 1993, while maintaining the performance you demand. Our alkaline batteries are composed primarily of common metals—steel, zinc, and manganese—and do not pose a health or environmental risk during normal use or 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.
Proven cost-effective and environmentally safe recycling processes are not yet universally available for alkaline batteries. Some communities offer recycling or collection of alkaline batteries—contact your local government for disposal practices in your area.”
I believe Staples has a battery recycling bin in their stores, at least the one’s I go to do.
Everything I’ve ever read says to just throw them in your regular garbage. Sometimes I save them with old computer parts and take them to an e-waste recycling event. When I travel abroad, I tend to “pack them out”, i.e. bring them home because the waste infrastructure in some other countries is not as sophisticated – they just burn everything in an uncontrolled environment, releasing all the fumes straight into the atmosphere. They burn all the residential trash where I live, too, but at least it is in a contained facility where the exhaust is filtered and regulated by the EPA. Companies that sell and/or manufacture these types of things should be required by law to take them back.
@rreppa : Trusting a manufacturer’s or distributor’s website trusting a bookie to tell you how much money you owe him. Exxon told us all that they knew how to clean up oil and that Inipol was safe in the 80’s. I know, old example, but still, you can’t trust anyone when what’s in your wallet is more important than you.
Best Buy and Home Depot take batteries, too
My library does
If you’re in the UK, all PC World stores have a battery disposal/recycling point.
I put fresh batteries in my digital camera. When they stop working in the camera there is still a lot of juice left. I put used batteries in my GPS and TV and stereo remotes until they are really dead.
You cut down on waste and save yourself a couple of bucks.
@rreppa
Thanks. You mean I can finally toss this 50 gallon drum of batteries?
Jeez I wish I got the memo.
Yes they are toxic. You have to call your city hall to find out if they have a place to take to. Some cities have once or twice a year curb side pick up service. Some cities allow you to bring it to the library.
@lilikoi
You’re looking for a conspiracy. Iron, zinc and manganese are naturally occurring and you need them to live. If they claim there’s no mercury it’s obnviously not something that can be hidden. And it’s a Federally mandated law apparently:
Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996
The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996 (Battery Act) phases out the use of mercury in batteries, and provides for the efficient and cost-effective disposal of used nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, used small sealed lead-acid (SSLA) batteries, and certain other regulated batteries. The statute applies to battery and product manufacturers, battery waste handlers, and certain battery and product importers and retailers.
@flo
See his follow up.
@SeventhSense oops. I thought it was a basic question. @rreppa did you avoid putting that in the detail section for a reason?
I think he probably stumbled upon it.
@SeventhSense I can see why someone would leave the details out though, to see if there is enough interest in it first, maybe.
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