When you are dealing with the waste produced in your home, you should know that there are some things that shouldn’t be discarded with all the other waste. Not everyone is fully aware of the reasons certain things used in the household can’t be discarded like paper towels and organic waste.
Batteries are a good example of something that should never be discarded in your household trash can, but do you know why that is? In the following article, we will take a closer look at exactly why batteries should be collected and disposed of properly and how this should be done.
Why can’t batteries go in the bin?
There are primary batteries, like the ones that are thrown away after each use, and secondary batteries, like the ones that can be recharged and reused. Many types of batteries contain some elements, metals, and substances that can be especially harmful to the environment, including:
- lead
- cadmium
- lithium
- mercury
- potassium
- manganese
- zinc
- copper
These elements can be especially hazardous to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. If they find their way to the landfill, these batteries will leech harmful substances into the ground where they will reach the groundwater shelf and spread poison through the rock strata.
If you place batteries in your regular trash, all that waste will eventually come back either in the food we eat or the water we drink. If you are interested in a replacement APC battery then see here.
How can I dispose of batteries?
Instead of throwing your old batteries in the trash with the rest of the junk, there are proper methods of disposal that can be considered safe for the environment and ecosystems.
Battery banks
Local recycling plants will set up centers to receive batteries in many locations in your area. Look in your supermarket, corner store, or any other commercial locations and institutions operating in your area that offer battery collection services. Just take the batteries to the location where they can be disposed of properly and leave them there. From here the proper collection agencies will pick up all the old batteries and take them to recycling plants where they can be disposed of in a quick and easy manner.
Request a battery bag for recycling
When you have an old battery with no life left, do you know how to take care of this battery until it can be disposed of properly? Do you know what sustainable battery use includes?
There are so many wireless materials around the home and it is essential that we learn how to best address the issues with old batteries. This can be different depending on the way they are used. For example, the batteries that you use in your TV remote will not be disposed of the same way as the batteries found in your cellphone or laptop computer.
How to Properly Dispose of Household Batteries
Single-Use Batteries
The most common type of battery found in the world today is single-use batteries. These exist in a wide array of sizes and shapes and can be easily identified as AA, AAA, D-Cells, and 9V batteries. These batteries are used in TV remotes, clocks, children’s toys, and a wide array of other electronic devices. Basically, if a battery can’t be recharged, it falls into this category.
Can single-use batteries be thrown in the trash?
Single-use batteries are now made of components that are considered non-toxic by the federal government, so they can be thrown into the trash in all states except for California, where discarding any type of battery is considered illegal. The only exception to this is the small button batteries found in watches and other smaller devices, these must always be disposed of in the same ways as any other rechargeable battery.
