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Batteries

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Rechargeable and Lithium Battery Facts

  • Rechargeable batteries contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury

    • These materials are harmful to the environment and pose human health hazards

  • The above image box shows typical equipment and electronic devices that use rechargeable batteries. 

  • Rechargeable batteries should be recycled to prevent environmental harm and reuse useful materials

  • The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation* (RBRC) offers Call2Recycle for free disposal of rechargeable batteries and cell phones for businesses and individuals.

    • Businesses can support battery recycling by sponsoring* a dropoff box for free.  

  • More recycling information can be found on the Community Resources and Links page.

 

Types of Rechargeable Batteries and their Dangers

  • Lead-Acid 

    • Lead-Acid batteries are the oldest type of rechargeable batteries.

    • Lead is a highly poisonous heavy metal.

    • Lead exposure can cause anemia, seizures, coma, damage to nervous, reproductive, urinary, and systems, or death*

    • Can cause irritation to skin, mucous membranes in eyes, or upper respiratory system and burns to skin

    • When Lead-Acid batteries are improperly disposed of or stored

      • Gas-venting valves can fail, resulting in explosion or fire

        • If the battery casing is ruptured, acid and shrapnel can be sprayed around the area

        • One explosion like this can ignite other cells within the battery or other nearby batteries

      • Lead and sulfuric acid can contaminate groundwater or nearby waterbodies

Rechargeable batteries are typically found in these devices:

Cellphone Store Display
Cellphones
Battery Management Strategy

Rechargeable Battery Management Strategy

Conducting a Workplace Assessment for Rechargeable Battery Management

  • The safe storage and management of rechargeable batteries is important to minimize the risk of contamination in your workplace

  • Survey how many items your business uses that require rechargeable batteries--if you have an equipment change-out planned, include that in your estimate

  • Explore other recycling options and resources available for businesses and responsible recycling

  • Educate your maintenance and technical staff about how to implement the management strategy

    • Inform them of the importance of recovering all batteries

  • Coordinate storage, packaging, and shipping logistics with appropriate staff (building engineers, information technology or audio-visual specialists, maintenance workers, custodial staff, etc.)

  • Kick-off the management program with an informational meeting with participants to recruit their support

  • Periodically review the program to evaluate its effectiveness and to make improvements

Storage and Disposal

Safe Storage and Handling of Batteries

 

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments battery handling guidance​ as part of their GoRecycle campaign*

 

This and other information on safe storage and handling of batteries can be seen in the Know Toxics Universal Waste & Used Electronics Training Manual*, pages 9-10.

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  • A handler of universal waste batteries must manage them in a way that prevents releases to the environment

  • Handlers of universal waste batteries must ensure that the casing of each individual battery cell is not breached

    • Cells may be opened to remove electrolyte

  • If a battery cell or casing is breached, it must be managed as hazardous waste

 

  • Containers of universal waste batteries must be properly labeled, structurally sound, and compatible with the contents of the stored material

  • It is recommended to add the date to the label since handlers can only store universal waste material on-site for up to one year

 

It is highly recommended that battery terminals be insulated to avoid electrical discharge during storage and transportation. This must be done using non-electrical duct tape, as metallic duct tape can easily cause reaction or fire.

 

Damaged Batteries

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*External link. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission does not author third party sites and their reference is for educational purposes only.

Resources and Regulations

Resources and Regulations

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DEQ Regulations*

More Resources

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