PROPER HANDLING OF BATTERIES
Whether new or used, batteries contain heavy metals and when
improperly handled, stored, or disposed, they can be dangerous to public
health and damaging to the environment. The information in this fact
sheet is meant to help limit those risks.
The three main types of batteries include:
- wet-cell rechargeable, used
to power vehicles and industrial machinery
- dry-cell non-rechargeable used for flashlights, radios, and smoke detectors; and
- dry-cell
rechargeable, which are used for power tools, cell phones and cordless
appliances.
Regardless of the type of battery, most contain heavy me
such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, and when improperly
handled, stored, or disposed, they can be dangerous to public health and
damaging to the environment (Lithium can combust when exposed to
water). Batteries of all types should never be burned as they may explode and/or release harmful toxins into the air, ground, and water
Those released toxins then have the potential to contaminate food
sources and water supplies and even harm wildlife.
It is important to note that many batteries (primarily rechargeable and
button batteries) may exhibit one or more of the characteristics of
hazardous waste, including ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity
and require management as such. Labels on batteries must be read to
determine the chemical properties and end use requirements as per
local, state, and federal regulations.
Residential or Households: Of the three types of batteries,
rechargeable and button batteries often contain metals that areconsidered hazardous, so improper disposal of these batteries poses a
very real risk to public health and the environment. While some municipal
solid waste landfills are designed to handle small amounts of household hazardous wastes, these wastes can be better managed in a designated
program for collection or recycling. The Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation encourages residents to take their batteries
to collection sites located at nearby businesses, the local landfill, and
other centers for proper recycling or disposal. Lead-acid batteries in particular should be recycled, as they contain hazardous elements that
can be reused. Some auto parts retailers will accept a small number of
spent lead-acid batteries through their lead-acid battery recycling
programs.
Battery Handling and Storage
Wet-cell batteries should be handled with protective gear. Rubber gloves, polyester clothes and
protective eyewear are highly recommended. Used lead-acid batteries must be stored properly to
prevent contamination or injury from acid spillage or leakage. Indoor storage is recommended
whenever possible because it reduces risks from temperature extremes, which cause batteries to
crack and leak. Lead-acid batteries that are not in use should be stored in a secondary containment
area. Recommended storage practices for wet-cell batteries include:
• Store off the ground, on a pallet or in a fish tote
• Keep the batteries level
• Store in an area that is well ventilated, cool, and dry
• Protect batteries against being damaged, crushed, punctured, or short-circuited
• Do not smoke or eat in battery storage areas
• Store batteries separately from other hazardous materials
Keep sodium bicarbonate, such as baking soda, available for neutralizing small acid spills. (Sodium
bicarbonate used to neutralize small spills can be discarded with regular trash).
Lead-Acid Battery Transport
If off the road system, arrange to ship spent batteries through your local air or barge lines to a battery recycler in Seattle, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, or your nearest hub city if accepted.
Recommended practices for shipping batteries include:
• Stack vehicle batteries on pallets (no more than three high and cover with shrink wrap) or place batteries in leak-proof fish totes
• Cracked or leaking batteries must be individually contained
• Label batteries as “Corrosive” and fill out shipping papers
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Source: Alaska Department
of Environmental Conservation
