Batteries can and should be recycled when they reach their end-of-life.
Throwing batteries in the garbage or in your curbside recycling bin can cause fires and harm the environment, people, and property.
Overview
There are hidden dangers tied to improper handling and disposal of batteries at their end-of-life. Many are unaware of these dangers, which are causing an increasing number of fires across recycling centers, waste facilities and garbage trucks, and resulting in millions of dollars in physical damage and putting lives in danger.
The bottom line: by taking a few extra steps, we can all play a role in reducing the potential risks to people, property, and the environment.
As the United States’ largest consumer battery stewardship and recycling program, Call2Recycle is working with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR), Association of New Jersey Household Hazardous Waste Coordinators (ANJHHWC), and Recycle Coach, to increase awareness around the safe handling and disposal of batteries to reduce incidence of fires through its ‘Avoid the Spark. Be Battery Safety Smart.’ campaign. Read more in the press release.
Not sure what to do with your old household batteries? Find a drop-off location here, or download the Battery Guidelines below:
NJ Battery Guidelines
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Awareness and education go hand-in-hand in terms of preventing battery safety incidents. We need your help to spread the message to your family, friends and community members on how to properly recycle batteries and why it can help keep them safe. Here are some quick steps to take:
1.
Learn how to be battery safety smart using this NJ Battery I.D. Guide.
2.
Join the NJ battery safety discussion on social media.
3.
Bag each battery or tape each battery’s terminals prior to storing or bringing to a collection site.
4.
Manage your household batteries safely & responsibly:
➔ Rechargeable Batteries: visit Call2Recycle’s locator or take to your local household hazardous waste program
➔ Single-Use (Lithium & Button Cell): take to your local household hazardous waste program
➔ Single-Use (Alkaline): purchase a battery recycling kit on our store, check the Recycle Coach app, or call your local household hazardous waste program for information
Campaign Resources
Campaign Poster
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Campaign Logo
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Campaign Logo (white)
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- Why should I recycle my used batteries?
- All batteries can and should be recycled. If batteries, especially lithium-based, are thrown into the garbage, they can cause a spark that could endanger individuals and surrounding property. Certain types of batteries, such as Nickel Cadmium rechargeable, can contaminate the environment if not properly disposed. Batteries are valuable and recycling them can reduce the need to mine for virgin materials along with transforming reclaimable materials into other useable products. Consumer awareness is key to changing behavior and ensuring more batteries are recycled the right way and don’t end up in landfills.
- Why do batteries need to be terminally protected?
- Taping the exposed terminals of batteries (or alternatively, bagging) can help prevent the battery from rubbing against other batteries, metals or potentially flammable materials, which could result in fires, personal injury or other damage. Duct, electrical or packing tape are all good options in addition to clear ziploc bags.
- Which types of batteries do I need to protect?
- All rechargeable batteries need to be protected. This includes Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Nickel Zinc, Lithium-Ion, Small Sealed Lead Acid. Additional, any battery over 12 volts. Lithium-based batteries pose a potential risk when not properly protected, as witnessed by a number of fires at MRFs across the country. For additional guidance, view our Battery Safety 101 video. When in doubt, always tape or bag.
- How do I find a drop-off location near me?
- For Rechargeable Batteries: visit Call2Recycle’s locator or take to your local household hazardous waste program
- For Single-Use (Lithium & Button Cell): take to your local household hazardous waste program
- Single-Use (Alkaline): visit Call2Recycle’s locator, Earth911.org, or check the Recycle Coach app to find participation drop-off locations near you.
- Why can’t I find a locator for my single-use batteries?
- Single-use batteries, such as AA, AAA, 9V or C or D cell, are by nature different, making their recycling process different than recycling rechargeable and cellphone batteries. All Call2Recycle drop-off locations accept used rechargeable batteries with most accepting used cellphones. Depending upon your location, select drop-off sites do accept single-use batteries. Unlike the rechargeable battery program, which is funded by battery and battery-powered product manufacturers, there is currently no national stewardship solution to allow for free recycling of single-use batteries, except in Vermont. This means that local household hazardous waste (HHW) and municipal programs that do offer alkaline battery recycling programs could charge a small fee. For those wanting an all battery solution, Call2Recycle has you covered. Visit our store to view our all battery recycling offerings.
- What if there’s not a location near me to recycle single-use batteries?
- Can’t find a location near you? Purchase a battery recycling kit from Call2Recycle’s online store, check the Recycle Coach app, or call your local household hazardous waste center for information. Never throw single-use (lithium or button cell) in the garbage or curbside recycling bin!
