This article is the second in a series by the Easton Energy & Environment Task Force to spread the word about how to dispose of different items. Last month’s article focused on what to do with plastic bags. This month focuses on batteries, another significant contaminant in our recycling stream.
What’s the problem with batteries?
Batteries cause machinery failures due to their small size and are potential fire hazards at the Materials Recovery Facility in Shelton, where our recyclables are sent. Lithium-ion batteries can be especially dangerous. A fire at the local Materials Recovery Facility caused the facility to shut down for a long period last year.
What’s the solution?
Here are quick and easy ideas to help solve the battery problem:
1. Never put batteries of any kind in the single-stream recycling cart.
2. Bring regular alkaline and lithium-ion batteries to the Trumbull Transfer Station year-round at 101 Spring Hill Road. Various retailers will also accept regular, rechargeable, and even e-bike batteries for recycling; visit call2recyle.org to find participating retailers near Easton.
3. If you don’t recycle them at the transfer station or a participating retailer, dispose of your batteries in the trash. Tape the ends of the lithium-ion batteries before disposal to minimize fire risk, though fully discharged lithium-ion batteries are not hazardous.
4. Bring automotive batteries either to Easton’s Department of Public Works at 15 Westport Road or, if you purchased it at an auto parts store, return it there and get a partial refund.
Contaminated recycling raises Easton’s costs. You can support the quality of Easton’s recycling stream in other ways: 1) when in doubt, throw it out, 2) keep your recycling as clean and dry as possible, 3) a recycling symbol doesn’t mean an item is necessarily recyclable in our single-stream program and 4) small items (less than 2”x2”) clog sorting machines and should be trashed.
RecycleCT is always a great reference to confirm “what’s in and what’s out” and to help avoid wish-cycling (hoping that something is recyclable and putting it in the cart just in case).
Keep an eye out for next month’s recycling tip. Questions or comments? Email the Easton Energy & Environment Task Force at eastonenergytf@gmail.com.
