Batteries

Batteries can no longer be landfilled in California because they contain heavy metals and acids. That's good news for the environment - but it's difficult for consumers to properly recycle used batteries. Check out this powerful video made by Canada's Marketplace, an investigative consumer show, which explains the magnitude of the problem. You'll be surprised to find out what many people do with their batteries!

Batteries Not Included

How big is the problem in California? According to a California Integrated Waste Management Board report , more than 500 million batteries are sold each year in California. According to the report, only one-half of one percent are recycled through city and County household hazardous waste programs — and the cost to ratepayers and taxpayers is astronomic — projected to exceed $31 million per year*.

* Source: CIWMB, Household Universal Waste Generation in California, August 2002

News & Events

• Call2Recycle Receives Basel Action Network Award 8/11/09

• U.S. Dept of Transportation Eases Alkaline Battery Transportation Rules 6/23/09
  The U.S. Department of Transportation has agreed that alkaline batteries do not need to have the terminal ends taped or isolated during transportation. This is big news for HHW program operators - saving considerable time and money. Read the exchange between battery recycler Kinsbursky Brothers and the U.S. DOT.

• Battery and Lamp Collection in Tuolumne County —Sierra Mountain Times, 5/8/09

What You Can Do To Help

Consumers

Switch to Rechargeable Batteries

Battery Usage Self-Assessment Survey , developed by Green Purchasing Institute
Use this survey to determine how and where single-use batteries are being used and to make the case for switching to rechargeables.

Recycle Rechargeable Batteries

Since rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals, battery producers have organized a voluntary responsibility organization called the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC). We encourage you to utilize RBRC collection bins at many retailers.

To find our where you can recycle old batteries and cell phones:

• Call the RBRC hotline at 1-800-8-BATTERY or
  1-877-2-RECYCLE
  
  
• Go to any Alltel, AT&T, Batteries Plus, Black & Decker, Circuit City, DeWalt, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Milwaukee Electrical Tool, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Orchard Supply, Porter Cable Service Centers, RadioShack, Remington Product Company, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless.

Retailers and Producers

Start a Take-Back Program for Alkaline Batteries

Like the RBRC program for rechargeable batteries, retailers and battery manufacturers of alkaline batteries can start a take-back program for spent alkaline batteries. Consumers will appreciate the convenience and you'll help build customer loyalty.

Local Government Action

Measure your staff's battery purchasing and waste management practices

Use this survey to reduce your environmental impacts and costs by maximizing the use of rechargeable batteries in your operations and recycling your rechargeable batteries for free through the industry-sponsored RBRC program.

Require Producer Responsibility

Cities and Counties are taking local action to require producer and/or retailer responsibility for end-of-life management of toxic and problematic products. San Luis Obispo County has passed ordinances that shift the financial burden for management of paint, sharps, fluorescent lights and household batteries from local government to the producers and retailers of these products.

• San Luis Obispo County's Ordinance No. 2008-1 establishing a household batteries and fluorescent tubes management program. 3/12/08

Resources

• Battery Recycling In Canada: 2009 Update —Kelleher Environmental 1/09
  
  
• Boiler Plate Language for EPR for Purchasing —Green Purchasing Institute rev. 2/22/10
  
  
• Model Producer Responsibility Policy Language for Batteries —Green Purchasing Institute 7/15/09
  
  
• Battery Handling Guide from Tuolumne Pilot Project rev. 2/22/10
  
  
• Department of Transportation Ruling on Shipping Spent Batteries

Links

• Batteries (CIWMB)
  
  
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)