Jeffrey B. Banke / Shutterstock.com Batteries (Single-Use) Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage & Drains Hazardous Waste Jeffrey B. Banke / Shutterstock.com The City of Lincoln collects household batteries through its dry cell battery collection and recycling program. The program does NOT accept the following items: bulbs, electronic waste other than batteries, and car batteries. Household batteries are now being collected at the following locations: City of Lincoln, City Hall600 Sixth Street | (916) 434-2400Map & Directions CVS Pharmacy425 South Hwy 65 |(916) 408-0209Map & Directions Home Depot1000 Groveland | (916) 434-7337Map & Directions Lowe’s535 South Hwy 65 | (916) 728-7800Map & Directions Raley’s765 South Hwy 65 | (916) 408-5775Map & Directions Sutter Medical685 Twelve Bridges DriveMap & Directions Twelve Bridges Library485 Twelve Bridges Drive | (916) 434-2410Map & Directions Walgreens700 Twelve Bridges Drive | (916) 408–0176Map & Directions Never Throw in the Trash Batteries are banned from the trash because they contain metals and other toxic and corrosive chemicals that can leach into the environment. All batteries, including sizes AAA, AA, C, and D, need to be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste. Alternative Ways to Recycle The Battery Solutions Recycling Program Battery Solutions offers battery recycling kits and services to businesses, municipalities, and residences. Their programs aim to help people recycle their batteries properly and conveniently. Learn more. The Big Green Box Battery Recycling Program The Big Green Box is a mail-in battery recycling program for both residences and businesses. Their system is simple: order a box, fill it up with your used batteries, and then ship it back to the company’s EPA-approved recycling center. Learn more. Ways to Reduce Buy Rechargeable Batteries Most single-use batteries can be replaced by rechargeable ones. Consider switching batteries so you can reduce how much hazardous waste you generate. Today’s rechargeable batteries are even made to have the same battery life as single-use ones. Conserve Battery Life Turn off battery-powered devices when not in use and avoid exposing electronics to cold conditions to get as much use possible from batteries. Did You Know? Battery Explodes in Garbage Truck One battery recently caused an explosion in a UK garbage truck, starting a fire and contaminating over six tons of recycling. Because batteries contain chemicals that can ignite, it is important to dispose of them correctly, and not just toss them in with other trash or recycling. Battery Technology Innovations “A battery will do for the electricity supply chain what refrigeration did to our food supply chain,” said MIT electrochemist Donald Sadoway in a Grist article. Sadoway and his peers are developing new battery technology using materials such as molten metal and saltwater. The energy storage capacity of these technologies could lead to a new era for electric cars and the electricity grid.
