Jun 20,2022
It is not an exaggeration that batteries are powering modern lives. From cell phones to portable straighteners, nearly everything we use is somehow powered by batteries. No complaints there, but what to do once the battery you used is completely drained?
To keep the environment clean and safe, dry cells and rechargeable batteries must be disposed of in certain ways.
The majority of single-use or "dry-cell" batteries can be safely discarded in the trash, although they generate landfill garbage. When possible, replace these with rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries should never be thrown away or placed in the curbside recycle bin; instead, they should be recycled!
Automobile batteries should be kept out of the garbage and returned to a company that sells them or a facility that recycles them. For a quick summary of the topic, watch this short video, then continue reading for more in-depth information about battery disposal.
Small gadgets like remote controls, flashlights, and other domestic items use single-use batteries.
9-volt, D, C, AA, and AAA batteries are the different types. Every year, Americans buy nearly three billion dry-cell batteries!
Since the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996, which phased out the use of mercury in alkaline batteries, dry-cell batteries can be discarded in the garbage legally in most states. Replace batteries with rechargeable alternatives wherever possible to prevent adding to landfill waste.
Rechargeable batteries, such as those found in laptops, phones, cameras, and cordless power tools, should never be thrown away since they might harm the environment if not disposed of appropriately. Most rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times. However, they should be recycled once they no longer hold a charge.
We could keep more than 48 million rechargeable batteries out of landfills if every Texas household recycled five rechargeable batteries each year!
Do not dispose of these batteries or battery-equipped goods in your garbage or recycle container. These batteries should be recycled at a registered battery recycling center or checked with your local Household Hazardous Waste program to prevent improper disposal's health and safety risks.