![]() There are a ton of reasons why batteries can underperform or even appear to not be able to hold a charge. If you think that your battery might be toast, be sure to investigate a little bit before going to buy a new one. Wait a Minute! Before You Dispose of Your Lawn Mower Battery… Both lead acid and lithium batteries contain toxic materials so they cannot simply be thrown away. The most direct answer I can give to how to dispose of old lawn mower batteries is: at a store that sells batteries, at an electrical recycling center, or at a hazardous waste site. "If you can't remove the battery, the entire device should be brought to a certified electronics recycler or a retailer that offers an electronics takeback service," says Gates.4 Practices You Will Want to Avoid When Disposing of a Lawn Mower Battery How to Dispose of Lawn Mower Batteries (The Short Version) Note: Not all rechargeable batteries are removable. It's worth noting that certain retailers accept only some types of batteries, so it's a good idea to check before you go. Once they reach the end of their life, store used rechargeable batteries in a container until you can take them to a battery recycling center or drop-off point. These are vehicle batteries and used in cars, boats, and more. Used in children's toy cars, hospital equipment, and emergency lighting. Used in wireless keyboards, digital cameras, and other small electronics. Used in cell phones, digital cameras, cordless power tools. Used in digital cameras, older generation cell phones, kid's toys, laptops, and more. Used in cordless power tools, video cameras, and cordless phones. However, even if you live outside the Golden State, you should recycle batteries whenever possible, says Gates. Important: Regulations about battery disposal vary from city to city, but all states except California allow you by law to throw single-use batteries in the trash. For extra precaution, tape the terminal ends of the batteries, and store them in a plastic or cardboard container. The best way to dispose of used single-use batteries is to collect them in a bin until you're ready to take them to a proper disposal facility. Gates still advises to recycle batteries whenever possible.Īll other non-rechargeable batteries, including lithium single-use batteries, as well as button cell watch batteries, contain hazardous heavy metals and toxic chemicals, and cannot be disposed of in ordinary trash or your curbside recycling program. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should. When it comes to getting rid of single-use batteries, the type of battery makes a difference.Ĭommon everyday alkaline batteries - including AAs, Ds, 9-volts, and others - are deemed safe to be thrown away in household trash. "Once this happens, the battery is unusable and should be disposed of immediately," says Gates.Īlkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can be safely thrown in the trash if needed. The white color results from chemicals reacting with oxygen. Important: If you notice white powder residue on your battery, this means it's leaking. ![]() To dispose of batteries safely, you'll need to plan ahead and keep them stored safely until you can transport them to a proper recycling facility. Some types, particularly lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, can cause fires during transport or at recycling centers. ![]() A majority of them end up in landfills, says Gates, adding "once batteries enter a landfill, they can rust and decay over time, allowing heavy metals from inside to leak out into the soil and enter our water supply."īeyond the environmental impact, improperly disposed of batteries pose a safety hazard. While it may be tempting to toss dead batteries into the trash, doing so can have repercussions for your health and the environment, says Jason Gates, CEO of Compology, a technology company focused on building sustainable waste and recycling systems.Īccording to the California Department of Resources Recycling, almost 4 billion disposable batteries get shipped to the US every year. With so many batteries powering the gadgets in our homes and pockets, the question that eventually comes around is what to do when those batteries run out of juice? ![]()
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