Published 08-20-21
Submitted by Republic Services
Americans throw away about three billion batteries per year. It’s important to remember that not all batteries are created equally. Several different types of batteries should not be disposed of or recycled at home.
And, while there are batteries that technically can be thrown away at home, those items are still better off being recycled at a special facility. In fact, Republic Services recommends that you NEVER put batteries in your trash or recycling at home as properly recycling batteries can help prevent harm to the environment.
Did you know that hundreds of preventable fires are caused each year by the unsuitable disposal of battery-powered electronics? In 2019, there were 343 reported fires at waste and recycling facilities in the U.S. and Canada , many of which could have been prevented had consumers recycled their old cell phones, laptops, and other lithium battery-powered electronic devices the right way.
Here’s what you should know about disposing of and properly recycling your old batteries:
To protect our planet and help keep you safe, Republic Services has identified several easy solutions that ensure proper battery disposal — including our convenient battery recycling program:
Looking for business resources for recycling batteries ? Learn more about how your business can responsibly recycle batteries .
For more on proper battery recycling, visit RepublicServices.com
Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the U.S. environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides superior service offerings while partnering with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, visit RepublicServices.com, or follow us at Facebook.com/RepublicServices, @RepublicService on Twitter or Republic Services on LinkedIn.
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