| Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers Batteries
Household (Dry Cell)
Hazards
- Batteries burned in waste combustion facilities can release
mercury or cadmium to the air and water, ultimately entering the food chain and posing
health threats to people and the environment.
- With the adoption of the
Morris County Recycling Plan Update as of
October 2007 only hazardous
dry cell batteries are mandated to be source separated and
recycled. Non-hazardous dry cell batteries are acceptable to be
disposed of in the solid waste stream. Keep reading below
for additional information on this distinction.
In addition to rechargeable
batteries which tend to be hazardous , non-rechargeable,
hazardous batteries include older alkaline and carbon zinc
batteries as well as silver oxide, mercury and magnesium
button-type batteries, etc. It should be noted that
domestically manufactured alkaline and carbon zinc
non-rechargeable batteries made after circa 1994 eliminated
mercury content to the point that they should not be considered
hazardous and therefore are not included in the list of
materials mandated to be source separated and recycled..
- Description Of Battery Categories
- Alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt): since
1994, most types contain no added mercury, and, if they do contain mercury, only contain
trace amounts that are not hazardous. These batteries maybe marked "no added
mercury" or have a green tree logo.
- Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries (NiCads) exist
in many sizes and shapes and are marked RECHARGEABLE. Some may be built into rechargeable
appliances. NiCads contain cadmium, a metal that is toxic to humans when inhaled or
ingested.
- Button batteries (small, round, silver-colored, used
in watches and hearing aids). Many button batteries contain mercury, a metal that is toxic
to humans when inhaled or ingested.
- Lithium batteries (AA, C, 9 volt and coin; mainly
used in computers and cameras). Lithium is reactive with water, and has caused serious
fires.
Handling
- Store in a secure, dry place out of the reach of children and pets.
Button batteries can be swallowed because they are small and slippery.
- When storing rechargeable batteries for collection, keep in a vented,
non-metal container. Rechargeable batteries should be placed individually in plastic bags
before being stored together with other rechargeables.
Management Options
- Alkaline batteries: Domestically manufactured batteries made
after 1994 no longer contain mercury and should be be disposed
of instead of recycled. It cost about ten times the price of
disposal to recycle these batteries non-hazardous batteries.
- Nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries: Do NOT dispose of in
the trash. Take to a retail collection location or a municipal recycling center that
accepts rechargeable batteries. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)
operates a collection program through selected retail stores and municipal recycling
programs. Call 800-8-BATTERY for the nearest retail collection location or check out their
website at www.RBRC.org.
- Coin or Button batteries: Do NOT dispose of in the trash.
Many stores selling watches or hearing aids will accept spent button batteries. If your
trash is handled by a waste-to-energy facility, find out if they have a mercury waste
collection program; or hold for HHW collection.
- Lithium batteries: Hold for household hazardous waste collection day.
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Municipal
Drop-Off Locations
The following municipalities accept both alkaline and
rechargeable batteries at their recycling depots or other municipal buildings.
The following types of rechargeable batteries are
recycled through RBRC:
- Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
- Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
- Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
- Small Sealed Lead Acid (Pb) (weighing less than 2 lbs.)
at any of the following businesses:
- Alltel
- Batteries Plus
- Best Buy
- Black & Decker
- Cingular Wireless
- Circuit City
- Home Depot
- Orchard Supply Hardware
- Porter Cable
- Radio Shack
- Remington
- Sears
- Target
- Walmart
- Wireless Zone
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