How to dispose of your old batteries

Almost everyone these days uses many types of battery for their many different devices. Whether it be the lithium ion battery in your phone, the alkaline AAA, Nimh AA, lead acid battery for your car etc. The list goes on and on. As there are many types of batteries currently in use.

Generally, its common knowledge that batteries require proper disposal. You shouldn’t just toss your old batteries into a normal general waste bin. The effect of this on the environment is huge. Really everyone should know or learn battery reconditioning. But failing that they should learn how to correctly dispose of different types of battery.

Disposing of Lead Acid Batteries

If you need to dispose of a lead acid battery or more common know as a 12v car battery then you can’t just put it in the trash. You can take it to some car battery retailers e.g. Home depot, they normally have some scheme to recycled dead or used batteries of this type. Failing that you can always drop them off at a specialist waste disposal agent or get help from an battery expert for repairing.

Button Battery Disposal

Button batteries you’d likely find in hearing aids or watches commonly known as watch batteries. These small batteries almost always contain hazardous materials. Whether it be lithium or mercury. Again, these should never for this reason be disposed of in the trash. Instead you can take them an electronics retailer or specialist waste disposal again.

Phone and laptop battery disposal   

The vast majority of phones and laptops have lithium ion batteries. So again, you shouldn’t just throw these in the trash, in case they end up in landfill. Most of the time you’ll have no problem recycling or even donating these batteries to people who will refurbish them, you can also again take these two most electronic retailers or contact the devices manufacturer. Your other rechargeable battery types such as Nicad or Nimh can also be disposed of safely in this way.

Disposable Alkaline batteries

Some where around 80% of all batteries produced in the USA are Alkaline batteries containing zinc and manganese dioxide. You’ll find this are available in sizes AAA to 9v but rarely bigger. These batteries especially the newer ones are fine to just dispose of in the general trash. However, it is important to check your own local regulations on battery disposal. As some places or states do require these batteries be disposed of in a more controlled way like the last few batteries we’ve discussed.

Conclusion

Never just throw your old batteries in the bin. The environmental effect of this practise can really damage soil quality for future generations. Recycling or learning a reconditioning method is normally the best and correct course of action. If you’d like to learn you should visit EZ battery reconditioning review. There you can find out how to take a simple course to get yourself a really useful skill that will save you money not always having to dispose of all your old batteries and also the environment.