Used Batteries - Guidelines & Recycling Options

Hazards of Batteries:

Many batteries contain toxic and hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium, silver and sulfuric acid. The US EPA has designated these as "universal wastes", rather than hazardous wastes, with the goal of promoting recycling. Although not considered hazardous wastes, these batteries must still be managed in an environmentally-compliant manner. BATTERIES CANNOT BE DISPOSED OF IN REGULAR TRASH!

Examples of Universal Waste batteries collected and recycled include:

• Standard Alkaline: such as AA, AAA, C & D
• "Non-Standard" Alkaline: 9V - found in things like smoke detectors & portable instruments; 6V Alkaline (Lantern batteries)
• Nickel cadmium (NiCad): Rechargeable - found in older cell phones, power tools, portable instruments and laptop computers; *can resemble regular alkaline batteries.
• Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH): Rechargeable - found in cell phones, portable instruments, laptops and portable vacuum cleaners; *can resemble regular alkaline batteries. 
• Lithium-ion (Li-ion, Lithium iron phosphate/"LiFePO4"): Rechargeable - found in mobile phones, AEDs, laptops and portable tools/appliances.
• Coin or "Button" batteries: found in watches, hearing aids, remotes & calculators; can consist of zinc, mercury or lithium metals.
• Sealed lead acid (Pb): Most commonly found in car/automotive (12v) & lawn mower batteries (6v). Also used for battery backup applications, such as fridges/freezers and generators. - Contain lead & sulfuric acid.

all battery terminal ends (except types aa, aaa, c or d) must be taped prior to disposal!

used batteries waste does not include electronics

batteries must first be removed from electronic devices or equipment for recycling!

• Electronics must be properly disposed of or recycled accordingly.

• If unable to remove battery from electronics, the whole device (with batteries inside) must go through YSU Electronics Recycling.
• Please email recycling@ysu.edu or visit ysu.edu/recycling/procedures for information on electronics recycling.

   

Disposal Options

1: Campus Mail

Send used batteries through campus mail for disposal when the following are true:

• The batteries are not leaking or corroded
• The batteries are alkaline (Examples are brand name batteries such as Duracell or Energizer and include AAA, AA, C, D, 9 volt)
• The package weighs less than 2 pounds (approximate). If it weighs more than 2 pounds, use option #2.

How to do it:

• Cover the terminals with plastic non-conductive tape (i.e., Scotch® tape or electrical tape) to prevent the possibility of spark.
• Place the batteries in a sturdy bag or container. Limit the package weight to 2 pounds or less.
• Address the package to: "Used Batteries", Chemical Management Center.

Option 2: drop-off at CMC, or submit pick-up request

Ensure terminals are taped and container is labeled "Used Batteries".

CMC Drop-off:

• Drop off the used battery container at the YSU Chemical Management Center (CMC), which can be located from the second floor of Ward Beecher Hall. Please follow signage.
• The container must be appropriately labeled and may not be left unattended. If you are not greeted promptly, please knock or ring the doorbell to leave the container with a CMC staff member.

Pick-up Request:

• Request a used batteries pick-up via webform submission here.
• e-mail any special requests or questions to cmc@ysu.edu
• Include this information:
  • Your name & contact information
  • The approximate quantities/weights of containers & types of batteries
  • Building/Room number where the batteries are located