There is a service alert affecting the following counties in Ohio: Hamilton, Clermont and Brown.
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Batteries cannot be recycled in Rumpke’s recycling program, nor can most batteries simply be placed in the trash. So, what should you do with old batteries? The short answer is – seek out a recycling option for old batteries. Again – you can’t recycle batteries in Rumpke’s curbside and community recycling programs; however, there are specialty recyclers and retailers that will accept them.
Proper battery disposal depends on where the material is coming from and the type of battery.
Don’t place it in the trash. Lead acid batteries are the most heavily controlled batteries. Throwing them in the trash is prohibited. Most auto stores will accept.
Example: Car and boat batteries
Do not place these in the trash or curbside recycling. Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion), are capable of holding a small residual charge. This lingering energy is dangerous if the battery is damaged. Lithium-ion batteries must always be safely recycled, either by sending the battery back to the manufacturer or disposing of it at a designated drop-off location.
Used for phones, laptops, lawn equipment, greeting cards, power tools, electric vehicles, etc.
Residents may place these in the trash. Businesses can’t. Never place in recycling containers. While it’s always best to recycle all batteries, depleted alkaline batteries do not require industrial waste management in most geographies because these batteries no longer contain mercury.
Examples: AAA, AA, D-volt
Ohio prohibits the disposal of batteries containing lead and sulfuric acid. These hazardous materials are most commonly sold for automotive purposes. Retailers are accountable for helping consumers learn more about proper disposal requirements.
Signs must be placed in stores to inform customers about the requirements and offer customers the option of discarding an old battery at the store in exchange for a new battery.
Kentucky makes Household Hazardous Waste facilities (HHW) available for residents and business owners. It is illegal to discard lead acid batteries in landfills, therefore most auto centers will happily take old batteries to help consumers properly recycle them. They also offer discounts towards the purchase of a new battery with the trade-in to support environmental efforts.
The state of Indiana supports battery recycling at community collection sites. While the state notes that batteries are not recyclable at the curb, auto retailers and other sites are authorized to help manage battery recycling.
In West Virginia, lead acid batteries must be recycled at an automotive battery dealer, wholesaler, or a lead smelter for safe handling. Retailers must advertise the sale of lead acid batteries and make consumers aware that spent batteries can be returned to the same facility.
Contact us or send us your recycling questions via Facebook, Twitter, email or phone. We’re here to help! Even expert recyclers have questions about recycling the right way. Rumpke, your recycling leader, wants to help.
It’s important to only recycle items accepted in Rumpke’s program. Putting the wrong material into your recycling bin can cause big problems. Some items damage machines at the recycling center, while other materials, such as batteries, pose hazards to employees or even prevent us from recycling other material.
Rumpke wants to make sure your recycling efforts count. We want to make sure your time and efforts ensure the intended result: positive environmental benefits for generations to come.
