How to Dispose of Used Batteries

There’s an old adage about everything in it’s place, et cetera, et cetera. Turns out, it’s true!

The challenge with disposing of used batteries eventually revolves around rounding them up. What do you do with them? Toss them in the trash can? Dump ’em in the dumpster?

No. Alkaline batteries are made of stuff that really doesn’t want to get into the landfill. And that your curbside recycler doesn’t want to even touch.

Here’s what you do: make a box – an old shoe box works great. Label it “used batteries” or “dead batteries” or “failures” or whatever strikes your fancy.

Put the box near your trash cans so that, when you reach out to trash the batteries, your shot veers toward the used battery box instead of the trash can.

Then, when your box of bad boys is full, take it to company that hauls away your trash each week – by law, they have to accept the batteries. They will take them to those recycling places that can handle alkaline batteries.

Look at you! You saved the world, got rid of your bad batteries, and simplified your life, all by making a box!

Please Note: Do not use this procedure if you are not certain that you can complete it safely, or if it does not seem accurate. Skippity Whistles provides this information as advice, and cannot accept any liability from your usage of it.

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Published by John D Reinhart

Writer, author, and host John D Reinhart is an avid historian and video producer with a penchant for seeking out and telling great stories - like the ones you'll find at Marvelous Air Museums. His latest motto is: Every great adventure begins with the phrase "what could possibly go wrong?"

4 thoughts on “How to Dispose of Used Batteries

  1. What kind of batteries are there Mr. John? Alkaline? and what else? Whats the best way to know when my battery is dead dead. When they start to leak are they still good if I wipe it off?

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    1. Ms. Mary, there are many kinds of batteries, from alkaline to ion to the lead acid battery in your car. If you find a battery that is leaking, toss it in your used battery box right away. Don’t wipe it off, and don’t touch it if you don’t have to. Just toss it in the box and grab a new battery!

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  2. How long can I recharge my dead batteries? I don’t like to waste money. One AAA battery I recharged lasted for about a year.

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    1. Mary, I’ve read that you can recharge AAA and AA batteries up to 100 times before they fail to hold a charge. How long that charge lasts depends on how old the battery is, and what you’re using the battery in. In either case, thanks for the comment!

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