Batteries Don’t Belong in Your Regular Trash
Published May 31, 2022
It’s not every day your household needs to throw away dead batteries. But when you do, it can feel like mental gymnastics. It’s tempting to simply throw batteries in the trash, or include them in your recycling bin, hoping the facility will be able to sort them out later. But both these actions can have disastrous consequences.
In 2017, 65% of all fires in California waste facilities were started by lithium-ion batteries; the type you can find in chargers, power tools, cell phones, laptops, and more. When this type of battery is crushed it becomes highly flammable, and since it is sitting amongst other garbage, it’s highly likely to ignite. This can happen with AA batteries, too.
This isn’t to say batteries will never be properly recycled. JB Straubel, co-founder of Tesla, is currently researching ways to create a perfect loop in the lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese supply. We are already experiencing a shortage in these useful metals, and perhaps one day, we won’t have to continue mining the earth for a fresh source.
Until then, you can do your part just by resisting the urge to throw e-waste in the trash or recycling. Save lives, recycling centers, and garbage facilities by disposing of it safely.
How to Collect + Where to Dispose
Some companies will buy back old electronics for parts; there is also a market in online spaces like eBay for older models of electronics, even if they’re broken.
Visit your local electronics store to see if they accept e-waste like batteries. Home improvement stores (think Home Depot or Lowe’s) may provide a similar service.
Research battery collection sites near you. For example, the LA public works website lists the location of several libraries that double as collection sites.
Some counties hold e-waste collection events; conduct some research to find out when and where.
Drop off the batteries at a permanent E-waste center.
Sources:
Hirsh, S. (January 5, 2021). Why Can't You Throw Away Batteries? One Reason: Fires. Green Matters. <https://www.greenmatters.com/p/why-cant-you-throw-away-batteries#:~:text=There%20are%20a%20few%20ways,to%20catch%20fire%20or%20explode.>
Krisher, T. (January 31, 2022). Insider Q&A: JB Straubel, CEO of Recycler Redwood Materials. AP News. <https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-environment-and-nature-nevada-13483556337aa1f20a0ce1e5a3d13857>
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Battery Disposal. LADPW. <https://dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/hhw/Batteries>
Waste 360. (May 21, 2018). Lithium-ion Batteries are Causing Five-alarm Fires in Garbage Trucks, Waste and Recycling Facilities. Waste 360. <https://www.waste360.com/safety/lithium-ion-batteries-are-causing-five-alarm-fires-garbage-trucks-waste-and-recycling>
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