Batteries Toolkit

Batteries Toolkit

Every year, fires caused by improper battery disposal cost over 1.2 billion dollars and threaten the lives of hundreds of waste, recycling, and scrap operators!

Properly disposing of your batteries saves money and lives, by lessening the chance of a fire breaking out at a facility.

In this Batteries Toolkit, you will find the basics for disposing of batteries in a video and a printable resource, several resource links for operators, resources to share with residents, and case studies.

(Video should load shortly or watch the Battery Toolkit Video on YouTube)

 

Need help or have a question? Reach out to our Member Services team by email or by calling: 603-736-4401

PRINTABLE Best Management Practices for Batteries (NHDES)

 

Key Takeaway: BAG individual batteries or securely TAPE the terminals to prevent accidental fires and RECYCLE all batteries!

(the only exception is single-use batteries, which can be taped and put in with regular household trash)

WHAT TO DO

Batteries that must be recycled are a danger to the environment. When it comes to battery disposal, it’s always best to play it safe. Click on the battery type below to view an image of the battery, how to properly dispose of it, and other resources for operators and residents.

 

 

HOUSEHOLD non-rechargeable single use alkaline and carbon zinc batteries: 

Household non-rechargeable batteries include AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries that cannot be recharged.

Tape the ends and then ok to go into the regular trash 

You can recycle these batteries for free in some states (yes in Vermont, no in New Hampshire, Maine, or Massachusetts). Otherwise, you will need to pay to send in single use batteries for recycling through Call2Recycle or Waste Management.

- (Call2Recycle) Why Are Single Use Batteries Different?

- (Earth 911) How to Recycle Single-Use Batteries

 

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES: DO NOT TRASH - recycle!

Rechargeable batteries includes rechargeable household batteries, button cell batteries, and lithium batteries.

For operators:

Batteries should be taped over the terminals or individually bagged to prevent accidental fire.

NRRA’s electronic recycling vendors will take batteries when they come and pick up your electronics. Their prices do vary by battery type (chemistry) and by vendor. You can also reach out to Call2Recycle, a well known battery recycler, to set up a battery recycling program if you do not yet have one. 

For residents:

Bring to your local transfer station or to the following big-box stores: Lowes, Staples, Best Buy (lithium batteries), or Home Depot. 

 

BUTTON CELL BATTERIES: DO NOT TRASH - recycle! 

Button Cell Batteries include mercury oxide, silver oxide, and zinc air batteries.

For operators and residents:

Batteries should be taped over the terminals or individually bagged to prevent accidental fire.

Use the same resources as "Rechargeable Batteries" above for disposal.

Button cell batteries may contain lithium or mercury, both should be kept out of the landfill!

[VIDEO] (Fixed It) How to Safely Dispose of Old Button Cell Batteries 

 

LITHIUM POLYMER and LITHIUM ION BATTERIES: DO NOT TRASH - recycle!

LITHIUM BATTERIES  are a HUGE FIRE & SAFETY HAZARD and should  NEVER be thrown in the trash!

For operators:

Batteries should be taped over the terminals or individually bagged to prevent accidental fire.

NRRA’s electronic recycling vendors will take batteries when they come and pick up your electronics. Their prices do vary by battery type (chemistry) and by vendor. You can also reach out to Call2Recycle, a well known battery recycler, to set up a battery recycling program if you do not yet have one. 

For residents:

Bag individual batteries prior to recycling. Bring them to your local transfer station or to the following big-box stores: Staples, Home Depot, or Best Buy (computers, tablets, and cellphones - these contain lithium batteries).

Additional resources:

Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) and The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESF) partnered on a campaign to promote lithium-ion battery recycling. The goal of the campaign is to educate the public on how to purchase, use, and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely:

 

LEAD ACID BATTERIES: DO NOT TRASH - recycle! 

For operators:

Proper storage, stacking, and wrapping is an important safety measure.

Here is a detailed infographic on how to stack and wrap new and used batteries on a pallet courtesy of EastPenn.

NRRA Spec Sheet: Lead Acid Automotive Batteries

For residents:

Bring used lead acid batteries to your transfer station, car repair shop, AutoZone, or Advanced Auto Parts. 

Additional resources:

 

RESOURCES FOR OPERATORS

 

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS

HELPFUL ARTICLES

 

CASE STUDIES

Lee, NH Lithium Battery Fire

 

NRRA RESOURCES

The following resources have been created by NRRA in regards to battery recycling. This is a dynamic and up-to-date listing of all battery-related resources. 

June 14, 2023
Document
Spec Sheet: Lead Acid Automotive Batteries
June 02, 2022
News
Lithium Battery Fire in Lee, NH
Lithium battery fire at the Lee, NH transfer station with screen shot and fire circled in red
November 24, 2021
Document
Electric Car - Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management
January 15, 2021
Document
Battery Recycling
October 20, 2020
Document
Household Batteries
July 24, 2020
Video
The Battery of Things: Lithium Battery Safety

This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service. Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc., is an equal opportunity provider and employer.