Recycling Batteries: How and why it is important to do so

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Statistics show that eight out of 10 households purchased tools and tech gadgets the likes of laptops, gaming devices, cell phones cordless power tools, etc., during the 2022 Christmas and Holiday Season.

Because the items require batteries to operate, how many of us, myself included, know how to properly recycle batteries? How many of us, myself included, know that it’s against the law NOT to properly recycle batteries?

Did you know that batteries tossed in the trash can not only short circuit, overheat and become a fire risk, they’re environmentally hazardous?

According to experts, lead-acid, lithium-based batteries along with high volumes of nickel-cadmium and mercury are dangerous and toxic if mishandled. And chemicals from corroded or damaged batteries can leak into the soil and ultimately pollute our oceans.

While that’s just a sprinkling of the downside of not properly recycling batteries, did you know that recycled batteries serve as valuable resources for saving energy and the need to mine virgin natural resources? Simply stated, recycling batteries ensures that Mother Earth has more to share with our children and grandchildren.

WOKV contacted Call2Recycle®Inc., a consumer battery recycling company that works with U.S. retailers and U.S. government municipalities to manage battery recycling and reduce hazardous waste (compliant with state and national regulations) to learn how to properly recycle batteries.

What began in 1994 with five battery manufacturers has evolved into Call2Recycle, a non profit “product stewardship organization” that operates with “efficiency, transparency and commitment.” Touting over 115 million pounds of batteries recycled in the U.S., Call2Recycle defines itself as a turn-key, end-of-life battery recycling program with more than 16,000 public drop-off sites across America.

“Like other green habits, battery recycling can easily fit into your daily routine, by helping you to declutter while doing something good for the planet,” said Linda Gabor, Executive Vice President, External Relations for Call2Recycle®. “Batteries give us the freedom to go unplugged and with that freedom comes the responsibility to ensure that old batteries are responsibly managed and safely recycled.”

Gabor noted that Call2Recycle works with private and public entities as well as retail locations including Home Depot, Lowes and Staples as well as municipal household waste facilities that safely collect and ship the materials to them for proper “recovery.”

In addition Gabor said that while paper and plastics are quickly used and easily recycled, batteries may be used every day, all day, or not for months, sidestepping the need to think about a battery’s “end of life.”

“But thinking about what happens to them is important,” she said. “Properly recycling batteries decreases the amount of garbage placed in landfills, protects the environment from potentially hazardous material and allows us to recover valuable materials.”

Gabor described dead batteries improperly recycled as nothing more than dangerous.

“Dead batteries should never come in contact with curbside recycling bins or the regular trash as they are considered a safety risk,” she concluded. “As batteries power our world, share up knowledge about battery recycling. It’s the right thing to do!”

Gabor offered the following tips on battery recycling:

Prep batteries. Safely prep batteries by bagging each battery in a clear plastic bag and place in a storage container or tape the terminals with clear packing, non-conductive electrical or duct tape. The label should be kept visible.

Keep batteries cool. Batteries should be stored in a plastic container - avoid metal - and placed in cool and dry area. Batteries exposed to bad or excessively hot weather can become dangerous.

Damaged rechargeable lap top or cell phone batteries should be taped, bagged and properly recycled.

Immediately place swollen or bulging batteries in non-flammable materials such as sand or kitty litter and temporarily store in a cool, dry place. Never discard in the trash. Call a battery recycling service or the manufacturer or retailer immediately for instructions, especially if it’s a Lithium or Lithium-Ion battery.

Taped or bagged batteries that are no longer usable should be recycled ASAP. Recycled batteries should never be in a landfill.

Single-use batteries, ( AA, AAA, 9V, etc.) can also be dropped off at retail locations or a local community recycling center.

Locations in Northeast Florida that accept rechargeable batteries for recycling include:

The Home Depot

9751 Crosshill Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32222

Lowe’s Home Improvement

12945 Atlantic Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32225

Staples

11111 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223

uBreakiFix

13529 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224

Jacksonville HHW Facility

2675 Commonwealth Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32254

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