What & Where to Recycle INDEX | Batteries

Standard AA, AAA, and C, type household batteries are now made with almost no mercury and can be disposed of with normal garbage. Other household batteries, including all sizes for rechargeable batteries, however, may contain cadmium, mercury (contained in watch batteries), copper, zinc, lead, manganese, nickel and lithium (computer clock batteries). These metals may create a hazard when disposed of incorrectly. In landfillls, heavy metals have the potential to leach slowly into soil, groundwater or surface water. When burned, some heavy metals may vaporize and escape into the air or end up in ash. Dry cell batteries contribute about 88% of the total mercury and 50% of the cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. In the past batteries accounted for nearly half of the mercury used in the United States and overhalf of the mercury and cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. It is important to keep these potentially hazardous, heavy metals out of our waste stream and out of our soil, water and air. http://www.rbrc.org/index.html

Using rechargeable batteries reduces the total number of batteries you use in a year and they can be recycled. It also reduces heavy metals released in our landfills. Rechargeable batteries can be returned to numerous local businesses for recycling. These businesses include: Radio Shack - 862-1270 and RadioActive - 257-5999. we recommend that you call a particular store to make sure they accept them for recycling.

Car Batteries: Generally, when you buy a new battery, the auto parts store or garage wants your old battery in exchange. If you have other old batteries, most auto parts stores and garages will take them for recycling and some may pay your for it. Call your local store or garage to find the battery recycler nearest you. Batteries are a hazardous waste - they contain acid which is corrosive and they should be disposed of properly. They are also accepted for recycling at the Flathead County Landfill (758-5910) and at Standard Batteries in Kalispell (752-0205).

Some of the text on this topic is adapted from the web page http://www.pca.state.mn.us/

RECYCLE HERE!
Nickel Cadmium Batteries
Northwest Tool Repair, Whitefish, 862-6275.
Radio Shack, Whitefish 862-1270 or Kalispell Center Mall, 752-2346.
Radioactive, Kalispell, 257-5999.

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