Okay, so I read “The Green Book” and it had lots of crazy ideas about things I can do and things I shouldn’t do to make the world a better and happier and healthier and greener place. And of course now I’m losing my mind thinking about how every single thing I do is ruining the world for everyone else and darn it, who put the cardboard paper towel roll in the garbage again??? Can’t you people SEE the recycling bin???

But anyway. Amid all of the things I try to do, I found that the book lacks some specifics. For instance it says, don’t throw away your batteries because they have lead and mercury and whatnot that leaches into the soil and is bad, bad, bad. Okay, fine. So, what do I do with them, then??

And any thoughts on rechargeable batteries? Worth the expense and hassle or all a scam? I’ll switch if it’s worth it, but in the meantime I have a bunch of dead batteries in a Tupperware bowl in my cupboard waiting for me to tell them where to go!

A couple of things to do with batteries:

Batteries can be recycled, too. Or, if your city is like most, your garbage disposal site most likely has certain days that hazardous waste can be disposed of, as batteries are considered hazardous waste.

The only rechargeable batteries I have are for my digital camera. They work fine, except when I forget to charge them. That's why I carry spare batteries, just in case my Alzheimer's kicks in again.

Look in your phone book for a store specializing in batteries- out here we have "Batteries Plus" but I'm sure you have something similar back east- these stores and many Radio Shack locations accept your household batteries free of charge (no pun intended).
Automotive batteries should be turned in at an auto repair facility, unless your local waste facility is set up to take them.

Thanks!! I will check with Radio Shack. I think our waste hauler takes car batteries, actually, we just have to warn them first. But usually you can take it back to the place you got your new battery from and get a rebate on the purchase, so that's cool.

Some of our local markets/grocers have recycling bins for all kinds of batteries at the photo department, everything from lithium cells (the coin sized ones) to the rechargeable ones. They collect (I assume sort) them and send them to the recycling center.

I do not know how far that goes beyond my local area.

I did recently notice our local grocery has bins for ink jet cartridges and cell pohones. I will have to ask about batteries, too. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Elexina:
I did recently notice our local grocery has bins for ink jet cartridges and cell pohones. I will have to ask about batteries, too. Thanks!

Really? Wow your area seems more advanced than ours. I was looking for a place to take cell phones. We have two from a couple of years ago I haven't tossed them thinking they might be recyclable.

It is my understanding that local areas have their own programs and take different things - there is no one solid nationwide program of recycling... yet.

David- you can turn in your old cellphones at almost any cellular retailer- many have bins for them that benefit various charities- I just donated one to benefit the local Raptor Center.