Ni cd battery recycling
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Household Battery Recycling
Lithium
There are specific handling directions for each kind.
For all battery types, please remove them from packaging, bags, and other battery storage/transport means (like bottles or jars).
Battery recycling is for household batteries only. Do not place nails, screws, light bulbs, electric toothbrushes, vape pens, or other small items in with the batteries.
LITHIUM BATTERIES
Residents should separate lithium batteries from the other types. You must also tape their contact points with clear tape.
You must use clear tape. Packing tape is best.
Do not use duct tape, masking tape, electrical tape, painters’ tape, or gaffers tape, and so on.
Place taped batteries into the appropriate container at the drop-off sites.
How can I tell if I have a lithium battery?
Lithium batteries are easily identifiable.
Lithium batteries will be clearly labeled with the word Lithium or Li-ion written on them.
They are the flat, button-like batteries, like those found in watches or hearing aides.
They also commonly found powering cameras, phones, and lap tops. Sometimes they look like traditional single-use batteries but have the word Lithium written on the side. Many drills, and other heavy-duty battery operated items (like lawn mowers) use lithium batteries.
How should I tape these batteries?
The easiest way to tape your lithium batteries is to first lay a strip of packing tape on a flat surface, sticky side up. Place the batteries onto the sticky strip of tape. Finally, press another strip of packing tape (sticky side down) on top of the batteries, making a simple package that prevents the batteries from slipping and contacting each other.
You are trying to cover the parts of the battery that deliver power to the device they would be inside. These would be the contact points.
Why do I need to tape up batteries? This is a hassle.
Lithium batteries are a fire hazard. They can generate heat, or spark when damaged, which can lead to fires. Taping the contact points makes them inactive. Taping the ends is to help comply with US Department of Transportation regulations on shipping these types of batteries.
Residents should separate nickel batteries from the other types. You must also tape their contact points with clear tape.
You must use clear tape. Packing tape is best.
Do not use duct tape, masking tape, electrical tape, painters’ tape or gaffers tape, or so on.
Place taped batteries into the appropriate container at the drop-off sites.
How can I tell if I have a nickel battery?
These are most often rechargeable batteries for items like drills or cordless telephones.
You can identify them because they have Ni-CD or Ni-MH written on the battery.
How should I tape these batteries?
Same way as with the lithium batteries. You should cover the area where the battery would be delivering power to the device.
Some nickel batteries have a red and black wire leading from the battery to a plastic plug or port. Cover this plastic piece with clear tape to prevent the nickel battery from delivering a charge.
Other nickel batteries are more traditional and have metal contact points.
Here’s some examples of taped nickel batteries:
Why do I need to tape up these batteries?
It’s required by the vendor who accepts them.
There are no special handling instructions for most alkaline batteries.
Alkaline batteries 12 volts and higher should be taped in the manner noted above (tape the contact points).
Only use clear tape. Packing tape works best.
Do not use duct tape, electrical tape, painters’ tape, making tape, gaffers tape, and so on.
Zinc batteries can also be placed in with the alkaline batteries without being taped.
Place them into the appropriate container at the drop-off sites.
Vehicle, UPS, Other Lead Acid Batteries
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Residential
Alkaline
- Read the label. If it says Alkaline, please dispose of it in your household trash. If you cannot read the label, please take it to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex. When discarding Alkaline/single-use batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, C or D cell) in your household trash, follow one of these safety procedures before throwing them away to prevent an accidental fire.
- Place a piece of electrical tape over both ends (/-) of the battery.
- Place batteries separately in a sealed plastic bag
- Place batteries in their original packaging, sealed with tape.
Automotive (Lead Acid)
- Take to the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.
- Many service stations will take back your used automotive battery when you purchase a new one.
Carbon Zinc
- Read the label. If it says Carbon Zinc, please dispose of it in your household trash. If you cannot read the label, please take it to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex. When discarding Carbon Zinc/single-use batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, C or D cell) in your household trash, follow one of these safety procedures before throwing them away to prevent an accidental fire.
- Place a piece of electrical tape over both ends (/-) of the battery.
- Place batteries separately in a sealed plastic bag
- Place batteries in their original packaging, sealed with tape.
Businesses
Businesses are required to handle all batteries in accordance with federal regulations. To learn about the national battery act, visit EPA’s Battery Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines.
Businesses can refer to the Universal Waste guidelines for more battery management information.
Special programs exist for recycling rechargeable batteries from retailers, businesses, communities and public agencies. The program is free for these groups. Participating businesses only pay for shipping to the reclamation facility. For more information, contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 1-800-8-BATTERY, TTY 1-800-255-0056.
Additional Information
All batteries contain chemicals. Some of these chemicals.- especially lead, nickel, cadmium, mercury, zinc and silver.- can be problematic if they are leaked or released into our environment. This is why it is important that they be handled correctly according to type.
Alkaline Batteries: Everyday household batteries used in flashlights, remote controls, and other appliances. Labeled alkaline, the size can be AA, AAA, 9v, D or C.
Automotive (Lead Acid) Batteries: These are used to power cars, light trucks, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles. They are not considered a household hazardous waste but do require special handling. When transporting them, please beware of leaks and keep upright.
Carbon Zinc Batteries: Everyday household batteries used in flashlights, remote controls, and other appliances. Labeled carbon zinc, the size can be AA, AAA, 9v, D or C.
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) and Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH): These are commonly used in cordless power tools, laptop computers, cameras and cell phones. Labeled Ni-Cd or “Ni-MH” they come in various sizes including 9v, D, and AA. They can also be small, round button-cell type batteries.
Rechargeable batteries: Many battery types (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-on, Ni-Zn, Pb) are available in rechargeable form. They will say rechargeable somewhere on the battery label. They are most commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders and remote control toys.
Mercury batteries: These come in several shapes and sizes, including AA, AAA and small, round button-cell type batteries which are found in items such as watches, hearing aids and some cameras.
Lithium batteries: These can be used in many electronic devices such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers. Labeled Lithium, “Lithium Primary,” “Lithium Metal Primary,” “Lithium Ion,” “Li-ion, ” or “Lithium Polymer,” they can be 9v, C, and AA. They can also be small, round button-cell type batteries.
Recycle This Pittsburgh
These common household batteries come as both single-use and rechargeable batteries. These batteries can not be recycled through the City’s curbside recycling program. There are a number of places around the city of Pittsburgh where you can drop off batteries for recycling (see below).
Single-use batteries are typically alkaline batteries. Single-use alkaline batteries can legally be disposed of with your curbside waste. They can also be recycled but fewer battery recycling collection points accept these types of batteries.
Rechargeable household batteries are typically Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) or Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH). Ni-Cd batteries are generally required to be recycled.
Places that Accept Household Batteries for Recycling
U.S., federal law generally requires used nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) and lead (Pb) batteries to be sent for recycling rather than disposed. There is no such requirement for single-use alkaline batteries because legislation in the ’90s forced manufacturers to remove mercury so that these batteries would be safer when thrown away. Ironically, because alkaline batteries are considered more “safe” to simply throw out, often battery recycling locations only accept rechargeable batteries. Be sure to check what kind of batteries a location accepts before dropping off your used up batteries.
- Frick Environmental Center: There is a free battery recycling receptacle in the main building at the Frick Environmental Center. They accept both alkaline and rechargeable batteries.
- IKEA: The IKEA at Robinson Town Center has a free battery recycling receptacle inside the lobby at the store exit. They accept alkaline and rechargeable batteries,
- Home Depot:Local Home Depots typically have free rechargeable batteries recycling receptacles near their customer service desks.
- Lowe’s: Local Lowe’s typically have free rechargeable batteries recycling receptacles near their customer service desks.
- PRC: The Pennsylvania Resource Council accepts alkaline batteries for 450.50/lb at their Household Chemical Collection events and their weekly e-waste collection for City of Pittsburgh residents for
Go With Rechargeable When You Can
None of these batteries are that great for our environment if thrown away. They don’t decompose easily, they are a fire hazard, and they contain a variety of chemicals, some of which we wouldn’t want leaking into our soil or water. Reduce the number of batteries you add to our environment by choosing reusable rechargeable batteries. Plus, since single-use alkaline batteries are legally considered safe to throw away in landfill trash, it is actually more difficult to find a free recycling location for these batteries as compared to rechargeable batteries.
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.35/lb.
Do you know another service that accepts batteries, particularly alkaline batteries? Let us know!
What are NiMH batteries?
As the name implies, NiMH, or nickel-metal-hydride, batteries are made with a combination of nickel and hydrogen, two naturally occurring elements. They were invented by American scientist Stanford Ovshinsky and first patented in 1986. Some NiMH batteries look like the alkaline batteries you can buy at the grocery store. Others come as battery packs that are custom-made for their corresponding electronic device. NiMH batteries are great for products that are used frequently and consume a lot of energy. Digital cameras, handheld video games, toys and MP3 players all use NiMH batteries. The charge in these batteries will not last longer than 30 days, so they do not work well in devices like smoke or carbon monoxide detectors and emergency flashlights. There are some real advantages to using NiMH batteries. Since they are so powerful you do not have to buy – or throw away – as many of them. The fact that some NiMH batteries are rechargeable also means you will not need to consume as many new batteries. A rechargeable battery can often be used hundreds of times if the charging is done correctly, which means a lot of batteries diverted from local landfills. Given that Americans buy three billion batteries every year (which translates to eight batteries per person), anything that reduces that number is great.
There are also some disadvantages to NiMH batteries. In large quantities nickel can be dangerous to human and animal health. It is a known carcinogen, can cause cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, and can also damage the liver and kidneys. Generally, NiMH batteries are considered better for the environment than a similar rechargeable product called NiCd batteries, which contain a toxic heavy metal called cadmium. However, they can still pollute waterways and the air. Because of this, many states have banned NiMH batteries from landfills, include Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire and Florida. To see if your state is on the list, visit the Call2Recycle website. But even if your state does not require NiMH battery recycling, it is a good idea to keep them out of the waste stream.