Household Batteries

by Carole Yeend

I frequently get calls about the disposal of household batteries.  First a word of caution about any batteries:  make sure the batteries are separated so that their terminal ends cannot touch as they might spark a fire.  The risk is minimal; however the Departement of Transportation has very strict regulations about the shipment of batteries because the risk exists.  Therefore it stands to reason to take a least a little caution while they are in your possession.

You can drop each battery in a plastic bag or put a piece of tape (any kind) over the terminal.  Little button batteries can be placed on a strip of tape and another strip of tape over the top.  You devise whatever creative means you like to avoid the batteries making contact.  This applies whether you are trashing or recycling.

Residents are advised to dispose of Alkaline batteries (non-rechargeable) in their regular trash.  This is a change in policy from previous years because now there is very little metal in U. S. made alkaline batteries.  Perhaps that's why they seem to lose their charge so quickly.

The following are batteries that need to be recycled because of their hazardous content:

Lithium (Li-ion) - typically found in digital cameras and laptop computers. 
Rechargeable (Ni-Cad nickel-cadmium) batteries are hazardous materials.
Sealed Lead Acid  --Small sealed lead acid batteries found in computers , electronic equipment and children's toys.
All three of these can be recycled in the Call2Recycle boxes. The box has plastic bags for separting batteries before dropping them in the box.  There is a box just inside the First Street Entrance of  the Courthouse next to the vending machines or batteries can be brought to the Clean Green Rush Tox-Away Center for first Saturday morning of each month (weather permitting) from 8 a.m. to noon.

Zinc Batteries
Like Alkaline batteries, these are not hazardous, and may be disposed of in the garbage.

If you have questions, do call me at 765-938-1342 or send an email to: recycle@rushcounty.in.gov