Batteries power our lives. From laptops to vehicles, to watches and toys, nearly everything that needs portable power has a battery in it. What should you do with these items, and the batteries inside, when they no longer pack a punch?
Dry-cells, rechargeables, and automotive batteries all must be disposed of in specific ways to keep the environment clean and safe.
- Most single-use or “dry-cell” batteries can be thrown away safely in the trash, but they create landfill waste. It is best to replace these with rechargeables whenever possible.
- Rechargeable batteries should never be placed in your trash or curbside recycle bin, but they should always be recycled!
- Automotive batteries should be kept out of the trash and returned to a business that sells them or a facility that takes them for recycling.
Watch this short video for an overview on the topic, and read on for more nuanced details on battery disposal.
