Green Tips - Recycle Your Batteries
This Green Tip was contributed by Northwest Product Stewardship Council
Rechargeable Batteries, particularly those containing heavy metal metals such as cadmium, are toxic and should not be disposed in landfills or incinerators. If managed improperly, toxic constituents from rechargeable batteries can be released into the environment causing damaging health effects. Reducing the amount of batteries in the waste stream alleviates this problem.
In 1994, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) was formed and funded by manufacturers in the rechargeable power industry to collect and recycle rechargeable batteries from consumers. This industry-run program is a good illustration of a product stewardship program whereby the manufacturer of a product takes responsibility for managing the waste at the end of a product's useful life.
Battery Facts
- Types of rechargeable batteries include: Nickel-Cadmium, Lead-Acid, Nickel Metal Hydride, Rechargeable Alkaline, Lithium Ion, and Zinc-Air.
- Every year, more than 3 billion batteries are used and then thrown away by American households.
- Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead.
To find a battery recycling location in Washington, contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation or call 1-800-8-BATTERY.
If you would like more information about product stewardship, please contact Earth Share of Washington member Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation or the Northwest Product Stewardship Council (not an ESW member).
