Disposal of Batteries in Cuyahoga County

ALKALINE BATTERIES
Alkaline batteries can be safely disposed of with normal household waste. Alkaline batteries are composed primarily of common metals - steel, zinc and manganese - and do not pose a health or environmental risk during normal use or disposal. Proven cost-effective and environmentally safe recycling processes are not yet universally available for alkaline batteries. Recommended disposal of alkaline batteries in Cuyahoga County is in your regular trash collection.

It is important not to dispose of large amounts of alkaline batteries in a group. Used batteries are often not completely "dead." Grouping used batteries together can bring these "live" batteries into contact with one another, creating safety risks. Throwing away one or two batteries as they are exhausted is perfectly acceptable.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Batteries that are rechargeable and/or contain heavy metals should be recycled. This includes lithium, lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and lead acid batteries. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) provides recycling drop-off locations for rechargeable batteries at retail stores such as Alltel, Best Buy, Cingular Wireless, Home Depot, Radio Shack, Sears, Staples, Target, and Walmart. For a complete list call 1-800-8- BATTERY or visit www.rbrc.com

We also accept these types of batteries at our Household Hazardous Waste Round-Ups.

LEAD ACID BATTERIES
Lead acid batteries contain lead and sulfuric acid and are used as a source of power. Perhaps the most common lead-acid battery is the one that is used to start your car. On April 25, 2008, a new Ohio law became effective that prohibits the disposal of lead acid batteries in solid or hazardous waste landfills. The law is intended to ensure that all spent lead acid batteries are recycled in Ohio. The law also requires wholesalers and retailers of lead acid batteries to take your old battery for recycling when you buy a new one. Batteries that are covered by the law include batteries used in vehicles, motorcycles, wheelchairs, boats, or other forms of motive power.

For a list of businesses in Cuyahoga County that recycle lead acid batteries, see our online Recycling Directory for Business & Industry. Use the drop-down box to highlight "Batteries."

We also accept these types of batteries at our Household Hazardous Waste Round-Ups.

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