How To Properly Dispose Your Household Batteries

Yes, I admit it. I have thrown away batteries in the garbage in the past. Sure, there are places to drop off your old batteries, but you know how we sometimes don't feel like taking that extra step. Well, we need to take that extra step.

Now with so many electronic items relying on batteries, and many that are powered by lithium-ion batteries, it's important that when they have reached their end-of-life use, you don't throw them away in your garbage. And that includes your recycle bins as well.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), take Lithium-ion batteries that are no longer functional, to a local household hazardous waste collection point or recycling place that accepts these types of batteries. There are two types of Lithium batteries - single use that is non-rechargeable, and rechargeable Lithium-Polymer cell.

It may seem like no big deal, but we've heard enough stories of fires started by improperly disposing of all types of batteries in household garbage. When you throw them away, they can easily become damaged or get crushed either during transport to the landfill or from processing and sorting equipment, which can result in creating a fire hazard.

The U.S. EPA suggests you can help prevent fires from Lithium-ion batteries by either taping the terminals or placing them in separate plastic bags or both, and then recycling them at certified battery electronics recyclers

The Go Broome County website lists local areas where you can drop off batteries including the Broome County Landfill, including A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9-Volt, Alkalines, Ni-cad rechargeable, and button batteries. If you have any batteries that are leaking or corroded batteries, place them in a plastic bag.

[via The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Go Broome County]