The best ways to get rid of old batteries
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Taping old batteries
Cover the ends of used batteries with electrical tape before throwing them in the trash.
If you’re concerned that old batteries tossed out in the same disposal container could spark and cause a fire, don’t fret. Even fully charged household batteries, like AA or
9-volt, shouldn’t create a spark, even if the ends
touch. However, it is possible for batteries to short out, heat
up and, under the right circumstances (although extremely
rare), cause a fire. To ensure this doesn’t happen, tape your
old batteries together side by side, then tape the ends as
shown.
We encourage battery recycling whenever possible.
Contact your local solid waste center for recycling household
batteries. For portable rechargeable batteries and old
cell phones, contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corp. (rbrc.org). The RBRC Web site lists
drop-off sites for recycling the batteries commonly found in
cordless power tools, laptop computers and digital cameras.
