Batteries: Lets keep them out of the trash!

As part of its overall Environmental Stewardship outreach efforts, the department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is pleased to announce a "Battery Collection Program" for the campus community. EH&S' goal with the program is to improve how used batteries are collected and disposed throughout campus. The program covers all types of dry cell batteries with the exception of lead acid batteries. Contact EH&S directly for the recycling and management of any type of lead acid battery.

Departments can discard their used batteries in any one of three ways.

• Batteries can be placed in designated accumulation containers, which are then emptied or collected on an as needed basis. The containers are available through Facility Services and should be located in common areas such as mail rooms, copy rooms or break areas. Contact Facility Services to pick up containers
• Small (i.e., AAA, AA, C, 9 volt rectangular and “button or watch” batteries) non-leaking / undamaged batteries may be mailed to EH&S through the intercampus mail service (mail code 8284)
• Batteries can be also picked up by EH&S by submitting a hazardous waste transfer form.

Batteries may produce the following potential problems or hazards:

• Pollute lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned.
• Batteries contain heavy metals that may leach from solid waste landfills.
• Contain strong corrosive acids.
• May cause burns or danger to eyes and skin

In landfills, heavy metals have the potential to leach slowly into soil, groundwater or surface water. Dry cell batteries contribute about 88 percent of the total mercury and 50 percent 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 over half of the mercury and cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. When burned, some heavy metals such as mercury may vaporize and escape into the air, and cadmium and lead may end up in the ash.

DISPOSAL AT HOME

Many communities sponsor periodic Household Hazardous Waste pick-ups where Universal Wastes and other hazardous wastes maybe taken and disposed at no cost to the homeowner. There may also be dedicated facilities to handle these wastes such as the S.A.F.E. Collection Center in Sylmar, CA, Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste Collection, and Antelope Valley Environmental Collection Center (AVECC) in Palmdale, CA. In addition, many municipalities sponsor hazardous waste collection events.