Yes, recycle batteries. All batteries can be recycled. And they should not be thrown in the trash. Since they contain toxic chemicals that pollute the Earth, it is important to know how to recycle batteries properly.
Know the Difference
There are two kinds of batteries. Single use batteries and rechargeable batteries. As I said before, all batteries are recyclable. So why know the difference between the two? Well single use batteries, like AA or AAA batteries, are more toxic and are harder to recycle. These actually need to be taken to a battery recycling center.
Now on the other hand we have rechargeable batteries. These kinds include your phone battery and laptop battery. Or rechargeable AA or AAA batteries. All of these kinds of batteries have precious materials in them that make them valuable. Which makes them easier to recycle. While both single use and rechargeable batteries can be taken to a battery recycling center, rechargeable batteries may be accepted by retailers who sell them. For example, if you bought a rechargeable camera battery from Best Buy, you can go back to Best Buy and have them dispose of the old battery for you. This also holds true for car batteries as well. Sometimes you can even get a reduced rate for your new battery if you turn in your old one.
By the way, Best Buy will recycle most if not all appliances and electronics for you. All locations are participating in this, but depending on where you live some might have things they do not accept. So make sure to check out your Best Buy location.
Proper Storage
So now you know about the difference between the two kinds of batteries. Now lets learn about how to properly store the batteries until you are ready to recycle them.
In order to properly store them, you can put them in zip lock bags or storage containers. Make sure they are in a safe dry place out of reach of children. If any batteries seem to be leaking, make sure to store them separately from the rest in their own container or bag. In addition, you can put tape over the terminals for an extra safety measure. This should be done for larger batteries used in vehicles.
Whenever you are ready to dispose of your batteries you can find a battery recycling center that is close to you by clicking here or here. These are two sites that can help you locate other recycling facilities as well. And now you know how to recycle batteries properly. If you want to learn more about recycling, you can check out my other page by clicking here.
Response Magic