topic Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot in Home

Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:11:53 GMT

How do you dispose of your old batteries?

We had a fire at work the other day because 'dead' batteries in a garbage can were touching end to end. Luckily the fire was spotted immediately and no one was injured.

So now I am curious, how do YOU dispose of used batteries?

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:27:31 GMT

in our town there is a large trash container where we take our recycling garden clippings, grass, etc) and that container is specifically for batteries.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Big Sister — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:30:42 GMT

Call your city and ask if there is a ""hazardous waste site"" nearby.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

DoneTryin — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:31:32 GMT

Some hardware stores will collect them for recycling. You might just want to Google it for more info about what's available in your area. I wonder if your local fire dept can answer that?

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

ValuSkr — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:32:01 GMT

General-purpose batteries (i.e. alkaline) can be safely disposed with normal household waste. However, Duracell warns never dispose of batteries in a fire because they could explode and

"It is important not to dispose of large numbers of alkaline batteries in a group. Used batteries are often not completely dead. Grouping used batteries together can bring these live batteries into contact with one another, creating safety risks."

Of course there are special rules for rechargeable batteries, car batteries, etc. You can look them up online.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:42:14 GMT

On 2/6/2015 ValuSkr said:
General-purpose batteries (i.e. alkaline) can be safely disposed with normal household waste. However, Duracell warns never dispose of batteries in a fire because they could explode and

"It is important not to dispose of large numbers of alkaline batteries in a group. Used batteries are often not completely dead. Grouping used batteries together can bring these live batteries into contact with one another, creating safety risks."

Of course there are special rules for rechargeable batteries, car batteries, etc. You can look them up online.

These were regular general purpose batteries from a clock that started the fire at work.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

kivah — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:42:46 GMT

I saw something on t.v. recently - about not putting 9 Volt batteries end to end in a drawer. That could apply to other batteries as well.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Daysdee — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:27:52 GMT

We are not allowed to dispose of batteries in any of our garbage cans. We have to take them to the ""hazardous waste"" place or to some place that then will take them there.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Another new name Sue — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 01:34:31 GMT

Orchard Hardware (OSH) takes them, and I think Best Buy and maybe even Home Depot. Thank you Browneye and those who try to do the right thing with batteries and other waste.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

evelyner — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 02:49:41 GMT

Our synagogue has a special bin, and our Rabbi takes them to a recycling center.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Lynnj — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 02:58:09 GMT

Ive always just throw them out with other house trash. Hmm, never thought about how they could cause fire if the ends touched, but now that I think about it, I can see how that could happen.

Okay, so if you take them somewhere for recycling or for special battery trash container, how would you store them in your home until you were able to take them to this place? Its not like I would run one battery to the recycling place at a time. When I replace batteries, typically each device has more than 1 battery that is needed to make it run. And my life is like Murphy's Law, once I have to change a battery in one thing, all of a sudden thing after thing after thing starts going out and need replacement. In a matter of a few weeks I can have many, many old batteries. Where/how would you store all of these old batteries?

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

DiAnne — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 03:02:27 GMT

There are containers outside our library for recycling of batteries. I am sure there are others in the city but the library containers are what I use.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

luvmyteddy4 — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 05:04:36 GMT

I never thought about it before. I have a large bowl of loose batteries in my kitchen cabinet and more in my nightstand. Some old, some new. I should get rid of them. I wonder if I could wrap them individually and throw away.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

05gage25 — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 05:26:31 GMT

We wrap ours in heavy duty packaging tape, or a good scotch tape, covering the terminals and throw them in the trash. Saw this on a news program one evening. Never thought of them starting a fire....scary!!

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Love orchids — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 07:02:42 GMT

Here we put them in a plastic bag and place on top of recycling bin on garbage days. They want us to put tape over the + end.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Mominohio — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:48:15 GMT

Great post, and great question. I have always thrown batteries in the trash, while not being happy about it, but am not aware of any recycling options in our rural area. We do recycle everything else (plastic, glass, cardboard, paperboard, copper, aluminum, steel etc.).

I think I'll look a little harder and see if I can find something in our area, because with the onset of all the flameless candles and mercury glass items, I am throwing away a lot of batteries in a years time.

Never even considered them being a fire hazard. Thanks for the heads up.

Re: Battery question-not to sound like an idiot

Abrowneyegirl — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 01:00:17 GMT

After some investigation I have learned:

1-Very few recycling places accept general use batteries anymore due to the content change (?)

2-If you do have a local recycling center, it is highly recommended to store batteries in a metal container with a LID due to the fire hazard. Do NOT store batteries for long periods take them in regularly.

3-If you have to throw your batteries in your regular trash cover the positive end or try to put back into the empty package they came in to keep them safely separated.

I hope this help!