City of Lawrence(KS):Recycling Information-Battery fact sheet

Batteries have become an integral part of our daily living, providing convenience for many. However, as advancements in technology continue to increase, so do the amounts of hazardous waste. Unfortunately, proper disposal of this power supply is all too often overlooked.

The City of Lawrence Waste Reduction and Recycling (WR/R) Division believes that pollution prevention begins at home. This collection program provides for the recycling and proper disposal of household batteries. If you have questions about other hazardous products in your home, call the WR/R Technical Assistance Line at 832-3030.

Q: Why are household batteries considered HAZARDOUS?

A: Household batteries have a high potential to be corrosive, a characteristic used by the federal government to classify hazardous waste. Also, some of the major components of a battery - cadmium, mercury, zinc and lithium - have the potential to be environmentally harmful and injurious to humans if disposed improperly. Some examples are, (1) lithium batteries are highly reactive with water if their casings are disturbed; and (2) mercury button batteries can be lethal if ingested - a fact that is particularly important in households with children.

Q: What is being done with the batteries turned into the Household Hazardous Waste collection?

A: The batteries which can be recycled using today’s available technology are sent to federally licensed battery recyclers. The remaining batteries are carefully packaged, and sent to a federally approved hazardous waste landfill for proper disposal, thereby diverting them from the municipal solid waste stream.

Collection dates for 2000:
Saturday, April 15
Saturday, May 20
Saturday, June 17
Saturday, July 15
Saturday, August 19
Saturday, September 16
Saturday, October 21

COLLECTION TIME:
8am to Noon
NEW! Expanded hours!
Call 832-3030 to schedule a drop-off appointment.

Car Battery Recycling
These Lawrence businesses accept car batteries year round.

LAWRENCE BATTERY COMPANY
903 N. 2nd - 842-2922

LONNIE’S RECYCLING
501 Maple - 841-4855

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A NICKEL (Ni) FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

Developing awareness of household batteries and their current use is essential to understanding the importance of this collection program. The following list provides facts about battery use and its impact on our solid waste stream:

2.5 billion dry cell batteries are sold in the US each year
An estimated 530,000 pounds of batteries require disposal daily
Americans own over 900 million battery operated devices
The average household batteries accounted for 89% of the mercury in the municipal solid waste stream
Alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries are the most common types of batteries consumed, comprising 90-93% of all batteries in the residential waste stream
In a recent EPA study, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable batteries were found to contribute over 50% of the cadmium in the waste stream

(SOURCES: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Franklin & Associates, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Florida Department of Environmental Resources)

TYPES OF DRY CELLBATTERIES FOUND
IN THE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE STREAM

Non-rechargeables
Battery types and sizes Common uses Typical heavy metal
weight per cell

Alkaline (9 volt, D, C,
AA, AAA) Cassette players,
radios Mercury: .025%
or none

Carbon-zinc* (9 volt,
D, C, AA, AAA) Flashlights, toys,
radios Mercury: .010%
or none

Mercuric oxide*
(button) Hearing aids,
pacemakers Mercury: 35-50%

Siver-oxide
(button) Hearing aids,
pacemakers Mercury: 0.4-1.0%

Zinc-air
(button) Hearing aids,
pagers, calculators Mercury: 0.4-1.0%

Lithium (9 volt, C,
AA, coin, button) Cameras, watches,
computers N/A

Rechargeables
Nickel-cadmium (9volt,
C, D, AA, AAA, battery
packs) Portable vacuum,
power tools, kitchen
appliances Cadmium: 10-15%

Small sealed lead-acid
(gum packs, pack
configurations) Camcorders, cell
phones, computers,
portable radios Lead: 50-75%

NOTE: As is required by law, mercury batteries are distinguishable because they have
"Hg" stamped on them, and carbon-zinc batteries are labeled as such in order to
distinguish them from alkaline.

REDUCE

Try to avoid using batteries. Buy toys and appliances which do not need them.
When you must buy batteries, ask for those low in mercury.
Avoid buying appliances with non- rechargeable cadmium batteries.
RECHARGE

Consider buying rechargeable batteries whenever possible.
When purchasing appliances containing rechargeable batteries, buy only the ones which offer removable rechargeables. Remember that you can’t recycle it if you can’t get to it.
RECYCLE

Utilize this collection program. Store your batteries and bring them to the next Household Hazardous Waste collection event or call 832-3030 to schedule a drop-off appointment.
If you live outside Douglas County, contact your municipal government for information on their household hazardous waste collection facility.
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DID YOU KNOW...?

Public perception is shaping the way the battery industry is manufacturing its product: more and more battery manufacturers are working towards offering mercury-free batteries.
The amount of mercury used in alkaline cell batteries was already reduced by 90% between 1982 and 1990.
Research is being performed to develop new non-corrodable, plastic casings which may reduce toxic metal leaching.

Despite these advancements in the battery industry, participation in battery recycling programs is essential to ensure that our community is doing its part to stop these hazardous materials from entering our landfills.