We are in that gift-giving time of year. Many of these gifts require batteries to operate. These batteries may be single use or rechargeable. When these batteries reach the end of their useful lives, most people simply throw them in the trash.
Sending batteries to a landfill is not the best method of disposal because most batteries contain toxic heavy metals. These metals include cadmium, lead, mercury, copper, zinc, manganese, lithium, or nickel. These metals are all hazardous to the environment and also to human health.
Recycling is a much more environmentally sound method for battery disposal. Wet cell batteries, such as the lead-acid batteries used in automobiles, can usually be returned to automotive stores. Similarly, many home improvement centers and electronics stores accept rechargeable battery packs from power tools, cell phones, and laptop computers. But what about all of the other batteries used in most household devises? Batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt, or button cells? Local options for recycling these types of batteries are limited at best.
Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District (Fayette SWCD) has a new program to recycle household dry cell batteries. All AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt, or button cell type batteries can be dropped off free of charge in the recycling container at the Fayette SWCD office. Collected batteries will be shipped to a company in Michigan where the heavy metals will be recovered. The Fayette SWCD office is located in the Fayette Agricultural Center at 1415 US 22 SW, Suite 500, Washington Court House.
No automotive or other wet cell batteries will be accepted. Please alert the Fayette SWCD staff if you are dropping off any lithium batteries, as these require special handling.
Fayette SWCD is paying all fees associated with this program. This program will continue as funding allows. Fayette SWCD reserves the right to terminate this program at any time without prior notice.
Fayette SWCD is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio. Its primary funding is received from the Board of Fayette County Commissioners and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Please contact Fayette SWCD Director Chet Murphy at 740-636-0279 or [email protected] for more information.
