From laptop to watch to camera batteries, the City of Shawnee will help people recycle their used batteries in a safer, more environmentally friendly way.
As part of “National Battery Take-Back Day,” Shawnee is collaborating with Waste Management, the National Waste & Recycling Association and the Shawnee Fire Department to recycle used batteries and educate people about to properly dispose of other batteries.
The event will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Shawnee Justice Center 5850 Renner Road.
“I think it’s just really important because so many folks just don’t really know what to do with their batteries when they think they’re dead,” said Lisa Disbrow, public affairs manager with Waste Management.
With an increase in the use of rechargeable batteries, like lithium-ion batteries that are used in devices ranging from watches to vehicles, Tracey DeVader, Senior Fire Prevention Officer, Shawnee Fire Department, said it’s more important than ever for people to know what batteries can cause fires or hazardous leaks and how to dispose of them.
“We tell people like if you notice physically damaged (batteries) — if it’s swollen or unusually hot, stop using it right away, and then you roll into when it’s time to dispose of them. You connect them to a valid battery recycling site, such as this, so that they’re not just being put in the trash,” she said.
Batteries that will be accepted at the event include:
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Single-Use: AA, AAA, 9-Volt, C, D
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Button Cells: From watches, hearing aids, and small electronics
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Removable Rechargeable: Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) and Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) from toothbrushes, shaving razors, drones, laptops, cameras, phones, and power tools
Batteries that won’t be accepted include:
- Automotive (car) batteries
- Vapes
- Industrial or large-format batteries, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS),
e-bike, and scooter batteries - Batteries still inside devices — People are asked to remove batteries before bringing them
In addition to battery recycling and education, they will also have Woodsy Owl on-hand for photos in front of the event’s “Skip the Bin!” Airstream trailer.
The hope is the event can be fun, informative and help change peoples’ mind about battery disposal.
“We don’t want (batteries going) in the recycling cart or the trash. So, if we can do more to get the message about how to properly handle your batteries at end of its life, that is our goal,” Disbrow said.
For a full list of battery drop-off, visit this link.
