BATTERIES: What To Do With Them and Why It Matters

Do not throw them in the trash. That simple rule can help protect wildlife, water, and our health. 

By Athina Ava Jacobs

Do not throw them in the trash. That simple rule can help protect wildlife, water, and our health. 

Batteries are crucial to everyday devices ranging, from electronics to medical devices. Batteries are essentially the backbone to modern communication and energy storage-- a convenience to our daily lives.

However, we need to take precautions in how we handle batteries. Once a battery’s life is up, we often resort to the easiest and simplest option: throwing them in the trash. Batteries contain toxic metals and chemicals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, and lithium. When batteries are thrown into the trash, they end up in landfills. This leads to harmful chemicals leaking into the surrounding water and soil, polluting our environment. Specifically, the pollution can harm plant life, poison animals, and contaminate our water sources.

Furthermore, improperly discarding batteries can lead to fire hazards. When certain types of batteries, specifically lithium-ion batteries, are smashed, they can spark and overheat. This is when a battery enters a thermal runaway, becoming so hot that it begins generating its own heat. This occurrence has been an increasing issue in many recycling and waste facilities, putting employees and nearby communities at risk. 

The effects of batteries begin way before reaching their consumers. From mining toxic materials to excessive water use, the extraction of these materials contributes to environmental degradation and local pollution. Hence, recycling batteries allows these valuable materials to be reused, creating a more sustainable future.

Easy Ways to Recycle Used Batteries:

Bring them to electronic stores that accept used batteries (Best Buy, Staples, Home Depot, and Lowe's).

Use battery recycling bins located at schools, libraries, and community centers.

Bring them to local hazardous waste collection events (visit your state’s environmental agency for more information).

Recycle car batteries at auto repair shops (AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, and Advanced Auto Parts). You will often receive store credit or cash back when recycling car batteries.

Return rechargeable batteries (The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples).

Use mail-in battery recycling programs by ordering special kits from providers like  Call2Recycle, Republic Services, Cirba Solutions, or TerraCycle.

Ask your local waste service about recycling battery drop-off locations.

Safe Ways to Dispose of Batteries (When Recycling is Unavailable):

Bring them to a household hazardous waste facility.

Bring them to a community hazardous waste collection day.

Follow local waste authority guidelines on how to properly dispose of batteries. 

Store dead batteries until a recycling option becomes available. 

• Ask a school, library, or community center if they accept special battery waste.

Individuals can change a small habit to create a huge positive outcome. All batteries can be recycled or disposed of properly. When in doubt, treat batteries as hazardous waste and keep them out of regular trash bins.