Single-use batteries must be properly disposed of
#RecycleRightNY - Batteries - Keep Them Out of Household Recycling!
Batteries keep life-powered, whether it's our laptops, power
tools, car batteries, or flashlights. But did you know many batteries contain
toxic metals and corrosive materials that can be released into the environment
when improperly disposed of? These toxic metals can pollute our soil and water,
potentially harming fish, wildlife and even humans. Batteries that improperly
end up in household recycling bins can become damaged in trucks during
transport or at recycling facilities not designed to handle batteries and
can cause dangerous fires.
To properly dispose of batteries, take the
following steps:
- Never put any batteries in your household recycling bin
with your plastic, metal, glass, and paper
-
If batteries are single-use, it's usually acceptable to discard them in the trash.
Check with your local recycling program - your county or municipality may
have recycling options for single-use batteries.
-
If batteries are rechargeable and covered under the NYS Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act, do not dispose
of them in the trash. Find a collection location at a retail center that sells
rechargeable batteries, use the Call2Recycle program or contact your local Recycling
Coordinator for more information.
-
If batteries are lead-acid (cars, trucks, boats and
other vehicles), return them
to a retail location that sells them or other collection
location for proper recycling.
-
If you have electronic devices like tablets or cell
phones that have rechargeable
batteries inside, please review proper disposal for electronic waste and cell phones.
For more information check out the DEC Delivers August Newsletter Campaign.
Last updated October 16, 2020