Battery Recycling: What You Need To Know

Most people are familiar with recycling things like plastic and paper, but you may not realize that battery recycling is important as well. Several different types of batteries must be recycled properly so that no harm is done to the environment and that human health is not put in danger. The following article takes a look at this very important subject.

Why

Some batteries have to be disposed of in a certain way because they contain harmful substances that can contaminate the ground if they are simply left in remote areas or put into landfills or dumps. Recycling these batteries not only avoids polluting the Earth but also reduces the amount of trash and waste in our nation's landfills. It also conserves natural resources, as the heavy metals and minerals used to create these batteries can be put to productive use rather than simply lying dormant in a landfill. Recycling old batteries can also lead to a reduction in greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. 

Law

In many cases, you will not have a choice about whether to recycle a battery or not. The law requires that some types of batteries be recycled. For example, disposing of old car batteries in a landfill or dump is against the law. Federal law requires that these types of lead-acid batteries must be disposed of by taking them to a qualified recycler. Also, you will generally need to recycle rechargeable batteries the power electronics, such as laptops and cell phones.

One type of battery you may not need to recycle is the alkaline batteries for devices such as flashlights and portable radios. In the past, these batteries contained potentially dangerous components, so the law did not allow them to be disposed of along with household trash. More recently, however, manufacturers have eliminated the dangerous substances from alkaline batteries of this type, and depending on where you live, the law will often allow you to simply throw them away in the garbage. One key exception is the state of California, where all batteries of any kind are considered hazardous waste and must be recycled. It's important to keep in mind that state laws and federal law may differ on this subject, so check your state laws carefully before throwing out any batteries with the household trash or dumping them in the landfill.   

To learn more about this important topic, contact a battery recycling service in your city