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| Does your house have unused batteries? |
Maybe you'll use batteries when it is an overcast, November night, and you reach for a flashlight to take the garbage out to the curb. Maybe you'll use batteries to power a decoration as you are setting up for the holidays, or to power a new gift.
Whenever new batteries are used, the old ones need to be disposed. Before you think you can just throw the battery in the garbage, know that not all batteries are the same and some should not go in with common trash due to environmental concerns.
First it is necessary to determine which batteries are primary and can only be used once, and which batteries are secondary and can be re-charged and used again. Primary batteries are not very expensive and usually have a long "life;" a good example are Lithium batteries. However, if you like recycling, try secondary batteries. These cost more and do not last very long, but can be re-used multiple times.
If you are going to buy primary batteries, it is important to note that not all can just be thrown in the trash can or the recycling bin. If you want easy disposal, buy alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries are no longer made with Mercury and therefore contain no hazardous materials. These can just be tossed in with regular, assorted trash.
Other batteries need to be disposed in a special environment. A lot of batteries contain metals and chemicals that, if thrown in the trash, can contaminate groundwater and soil. In addition, batteries that are improperly disposed of cause a hazard to human health.
If you want to dispose of your batteries safely, visit Earth 911, a site that will direct you to different stores or areas that accept your used batteries.
Grady Management, Inc. was founded in 1965 and continues to provide full service residential, commercial and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area. Learn more about Grady Management on our website or Facebook page.
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