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by-products of manufacturing or discarded products.
Batteries are loaded with heavy metals and they corrode easily, letting toxins leach into the soil and waterways. It is very important to recycle batteries.
Before You Buy
Check to see if you already have batteries on hand.
Use hand-operated items that work without batteries.
Read Labels
Look for batteries that contain less mercury and other heavy metals. New technology is replacing the older mercuric-oxide batteries with silver-oxide, zinc-air button, and alkaline batteries, containing up to 97% less mercury. There are several mercury-free, heavy-duty, carbon-zinc batteries on the market as well.
Rechargeable
Rechargeable batteries have a longer life span and allow us to use fewer disposable batteries, but rechargeable batteries still contain heavy metals such as nickel-cadmium and lead. Rechargeable batteries have other considerations as well; unless they are recycled, these batteries increase the amount of heavy metals entering the environment, and energy use is required to recharge them.
Storage and Safety Tips
Turn off any battery-operated appliance when it is not in use.
Remove batteries from appliances that are not going to be used for a long time.
Do not recharge a battery unless it is specifically marked rechargeable; this can cause a battery to rupture.
Do not dispose of batteries in a fire; this may cause a battery to explode.
Do not open battery casings; this exposes a battery’s harmful toxins.
Cell Phones
The average cell phone in the U.S. is replaced after just 18 months. Phones, their batteries, and their accessories are recyclable.
Before you recycle your wireless phone:
Terminate your service.
Clear the phones memory of contacts and other stored information.
Remove your phone’s Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card). Phones that operate on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM networks) use SIM Cards. If you are not sure if your phone uses a SIM card, contact your wireless provider.
Chemicals
Words like “caution” and “danger” are sure signs that a product
requires special handling. Buy only what you will use, and recycle any leftovers at a hazardous waste collection site.
Common household chemicals include:
aerosol spray products
antifreeze
brake fluid
fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides
fluorescent light bulbs
gasoline
household cleaners
inkjet and toner cartridges
insecticides
motor oil and oil filters
paint, thinners, and solvents
pool and spa chemicals
transmission fluid
Ewaste
Electronic waste is a valuable source for secondary raw materials, if treated properly, however if not treated properly it is major source of toxins.
CD Roms, cell phones, circuit board components, circuit boards, computer monitors, computer systems
DVD’s
floppy disk drives
hard disk drives
inkjet and toner cartridges
keyboards
mainframes, mice, microwave ovens, modems
networking devices
point of sale equipment, power supplies, printers, projectors
radios
scanners
telephone equipment, test equipment, typewriters
VCRs
wire
Recycle electronic waste in Washington County and Portland Metro.
p.o. box 1771 | hillsboro oregon 97123
503.681.2527