Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/05/2012

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RECYCLING ASSOCIATION of Minnesota Battery Recycling Once a battery is used up or no longer useful, the battery's chemistry will determine the best way to dispose of it. Look on the battery's label or packaging to identify what it is made of and use the guide to find a safe disposal method. Many stores that sell electronics or batteries will accept used batteries. Make sure to call before bringing batteries in for recycling. Most counties have household hazardous waste (HHW) collection sites. Go to rethinkrecycling.com or recyclemoreminnesota.org to get contact information for your county solid waste office. What's the Problem? In the United States, over two billion batteries are purchased every year. Some of the batteries contain toxic metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and sliver, which can contaminate water and air when they are incinerated or disposed of in landfills. Eventually these toxins will make their way into living tissue and have negative health effects. Batteries safe to place in the trash: • Carbon Zinc • Alkaline- If alkaline batteries were purchased in or before 1993, take them to your HHW collection site. Description: Mainly produces in A, AA, AAA, C, D, N, 9-volt, and lantern. These batteries are not rechargeable. Found In: Calculators, portable stereos, radios, compact disc players, most toys, flashlights, smoke detectors, clocks, and other products. Single -use batteries that need to be taken to retailers or HHW sites: • Button- Place tape around each button battery • Lithium- Lithium batteries may be reactive. Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place electrical tape around the battery terminals. Description: Lithium batteries are cylindrical and are produced in various sizes. Button batteries may be alkaline, lithium, mercuric oxide, nickel cadmium, silver oxide, or zinc air. They may be combined in stacks to produce cylindrical batteries. Uses: Photographic and high -drain applications, medical devices, smoke detectors, handheld games, hearing aids, keyless remotes, watches, and other products.