Battery Recycling

1

• Battery Recycling
• Presented by Sandra Boggs,
• Recycling and Market Development Specialist

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Topics covered

• Dry-cell Alkaline Batteries
• Rechargeable Batteries

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Why concern?

• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Lead
• 1996 law regarding mercury-containing products
  has resulted in reduced toxicity for alkaline
  batteries

4
Some EPA Stats

• Americans buy about 3 billion batteries every
  year
• On average, we each dispose of 8 alkalines per
  year

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Alkaline vs Rechargeable

• Recycling Opportunities for both
• Alkaline Batteries costs associated
• Rechargeable Batteries free recycling and local
  drop-off points

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Alkaline Battery Recycling

• Consumers want to recycle them
• There are no consumer collection points
• Need for education regarding lowered mercury
  content and hazardous ingredients
• Some are included in HHW collections
• Fire Camps/emergency personnel produce hundreds
  daily

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Two Companies

• Battery Solutions, Inc. (Batteryrecycling.com)
• Purchase postage-paid boxes and buckets.
• Bulk 30 and 55 gallon program too.
• has additional per pound charge(s)
• Call 1-800-852-8127.
• The 'Big Green Box' Program (biggreenbox.com)
• Purchase postage-paid boxes to collect both
  alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries, and
  other items for recycling.
• 1-877-461-2345

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Average Costs

• 12 lb box 24
• 55 lb bucket 74
• 40 lb box 58
• 40 lb box 49
• 55 gal. drum weighing 700 lbs shipped to Mesa, AZ
  would cost 235

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Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation

• www.rbrc.org
• Free Take-Back Program
• Consumers
• Municipalities, and others
• Funded by manufacturers and license fees

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Retail Partners

• Take advantage of existing locations
• Radio Shack
• Lowes
• Home Depot
• Staples
• Office Max
• Office Depot
• Sears
• Target
• Best Buy

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DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY

• Do not use dry-cell battery collection boxes for
• Cell Phones
• Chargers
• Rechargeable Batteries

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Find out more

• DEQ website
• Recycle.mt.gov
• What to Recycle
• Batteries

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Montana Contact

• Sandra Boggs Recycling and Marketing Development
  Specialist
• 406-841-5217
• sboggs_at_mt.gov 
• deq.mt.gov