How to safely dispose of old household batteries
Associated Press News • • business
Key Points:
- Dead household batteries can leak toxic heavy metals like cadmium and nickel into the environment and pose fire risks in waste management facilities if not disposed of properly.
- Recycling batteries is a simple and responsible way to prevent environmental harm, with collection programs available at many stores and through local drop-off sites.
- Different types of batteries require different disposal methods; for example, lithium-ion batteries are more hazardous and should never be thrown in the trash, while alkaline batteries can often be disposed of safely but are still better recycled.
- Recycled battery materials such as cobalt, nickel, and aluminum can be reused to make new batteries or other products, reducing the need for environmentally damaging mining.
- Proper battery recycling protects public health and safety by preventing toxic
