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Batteries Not Included

What to do with the dead ones

1. Buy Rechargeable batteries. They last longer and can be recycled.
Rechargeable Batteries are used in many portable devices, including cell phones, iPods, laptop computers, electric toothbrushes, power tools and many others. You can also find them sold separately for use in any household item.

2. Don’t throw any batteries in the garbage.
Take non-rechargeable batteries to your local hazardous waste depot site. Alkaline batteries contain potassium hydroxide, which is corrosive. Handle corroded batteries carefully; potassium hydroxide can burn if exposed to wet skin.

3. Recycle your rechargeable batteries.
Rechargeable batteries can contain highly-toxic cadmium, nickel and lead. Call the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 1-888-224-9764 to find out where to take them.

4. Call your mayor. Encourage your local municipality to recycle all batteries.
In California a law prohibiting residents from throwing batteries in the trash came into effect in February 2006. California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control determined that, due to their hazardous content, the disposal of all household batteries should be prohibited. The same year the European Union passed a directive requiring that all member states collect and recycle used batteries. A collection rate of at least 25% must be reached by 2012. This law comes into effect in September 2008.

5. Organize your own battery blitz.
Port Perry and the surrounding township of Scugog collected 29,455 batteries in just two weeks. Try to top that!

Posted on October 31, 2007
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Comments - Share your thoughts

I'd saved batteries for years, but with no information on recycling was trashing them with a guilty conscience. We need to pressure councils and governments to get on the ball. Rechargeable batteries in my experience lose their charge too quickly to be practical. Posted by: Dave Valentine | Oct 31, 07 08:01 PM
I tried to set up a used battery collection program at my local gymnasium and was collecting a lot of batteries. When I accumulated a bucketful I would take them to the local Hazardous Waste centre (in Toronto.) After doing this for a while, I discovered that what I was doing was in violation of provincial regulations. Any building (other than a residence) that collects batteries is supposed to be licensed by the province and must use an approved service to pick up and dispose of the batteries. The requirements are the same for non-recyclable consumer batteries as for really toxic products. This would have been expensive for a non-profit group such as the gym and as a result I reluctantly terminated the program. In some states there is the concept of Universal Waste ... products that should not go into landfill but do not require the same treatment as other truly hazardous materials. The provincial regulations in Ontario ought to make it easier for community groups etc. to collect these batteries. Posted by: Patricia Warwick | Oct 31, 07 08:27 PM
Ikea stores accept non-rechargeable batteries and used lightbulbs for recycling. Etobicoke Ikea has bins located near the Returns Dept. Check the Ikea in your area. Posted by: Mandy Faulkner | Oct 31, 07 11:03 PM
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