Disposal of lithium and li-on batteries

[persoontje]

Hi,

I have some old, chinese batteries (18650 and cr-123a), which after reading all the messages on the forum, I don't really trust anymore. That's why I stopped using them and I use brandend cells now instead. But the cheap cells are still lying around in my house.

Can I just put them in the battery-disposal box in the supermarket or do I have to do dispose them somewhere else? And do I have to wrap them in plastic or something like that or can I just put them in the disposal box?

 

[C-Beam]

They are landfill safe.

 

[Robin24k]

Check your garbage company's website and see if they have any battery recycling information. Mine says to put batteries in a bag on top of the recycling cart and they'll collect them.

Sometimes break rooms at work will also have battery recycling bins.

Can I just put them in the battery-disposal box in the supermarket or do I have to do dispose them somewhere else?

That should be fine too. Put them in a bag and toss it in.

EDIT: Not literally toss it in, but you get the idea...

 

[Black Rose]

Depends where you live.

Around here, Li-Ion cells can only be taken to a dedicated battery recycler.

 

[Apollo Cree]

Batteries plus has always been pretty good about taking any batteries I've brought them. I don't know if they're "supposed" to take that type of Li-ion batteries, but the guy behind the counter usually doesn't really look at what I bring in.

 

[Toulouse42]

How to dispose of Lithium batteries

I know that Lithium and certain other batteries (NiCad etc) are toxic and need to be disposed of carefully. Does anyone know how this is done. I mean after I have taken them to the local dump.

The people at our local dump seem happy to mix lithiums with Alkalines.

 

[Robin24k]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

Lithium does not need special handling like cadmium because lithium isn't a heavy metal. In fact, they can even be disposed of in regular household trash. They aren't classified as hazardous waste.

 

[Toulouse42]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

OK, there's clearly something here that I have misunderstood.

I read (on CPF I think) that if a Lithium battery goes "pop", like when two mismatched batteries are used in a flashlight, that the fumes and stuff that comes out should be treated as highly toxic. Are you saying that dead lithium batteries such as CR123As are not toxic until they go pop, or have I just got that completely wrong?

I've been saving old CR123As etc so that I could deliver them safely to the dump one day.

Thanks

 

[UberLumens]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

"not toxic until they go pop" is a decent concept to get the idea, but lacking in real life

Its safe to toss them because the trash can handle what they do during the process from start to finish.

this does not mean the contents are safe. if burned (fumes)/used improperly(explode) they can be bad for people.

Environmentally, Nickel and Cadmium are heavy metals, lithium is not

 

[kaptain_zero]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

I think the best way that I have seen of disposing of Lithium Ion cells is to take a durable plastic container, fill it with enough water to cover the cells generously, add a good handful of table salt and place it outside in a safe area, drop the cells in and let them discharge over the next few weeks or more.... Should one burst (not likely as the discharge rate should not be that high but it never hurts to be careful) it will be contained in the water.... after a few weeks, check the cells for voltage... if they read 0V you can safely chuck them in the trash with no worries. There is a slight danger if you place them still charged in the trash and they short out somehow... that could lead to the dreaded

Having said all of the above, I do believe there are some communities that offer recycling of Lithium cells as well. The casing is made of metal and that can be recycled.... if it's cost effective..... I dunno. Either way, discharge fully before disposing using the bucket and salt water in a safe place.

As stated above, nickle based batteries should be turn in for safe recycling.

Regards

Christian

 

[hank]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

You're in Canada; have you looked locally?

"The battery manufacturers have funded a joint recycling center. To find a center near you that will take them, click
http://www.ehso.com/ehso2.php?URL=http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/dropoff/index.php
(in the US or Canada) ... they take Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb) rechargeable ..."

http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/batteries.php

 

[poguy]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

In our area Home Depot stores have battery recycling drop boxes near the entrance and return counter. Better to have them recycled into new batteries than waste them in a landfill.

 

[Black Rose]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

You're in Canada; have you looked locally?

Seems to vary by location.

We have a recycler here that will take NiCd, NiMh, and Li-Ion but will not take lithium primary cells.

According to the cities web site, they will accept lithium cells, with the caveat that the positive and negative terminals be covered in tape or wrapped in plastic.

 

[Toulouse42]

Re: How to dispose of Lithium batteries

Thanks everyone. I live on a small island in Britain, and we have become much more aware in recent years of the potential long term damage from careless disposal of materials containing heavy metals and other nasties.

I stop using my lithium batteries before they are completely dead and I didn't want to create a problem by dumping them whilst still carrying a charge.

:thumbsup:

 

[witness]

Disposal of Li Ion batteries?

I have a number of 18650 and CR123 batteries that I need to dispose of. I doubt that just throwing them in the garbage is OK. Can anyone tell me how they are supposed to be disposed of?

 

[ElectronGuru]

Disposal of Li Ion batteries?

Options (form and availability) usually come down to location. Some areas have state/county collection centers for special waste. Others have private locations (like stores) that serve the same role. Some areas don't recycle so much as paper.

Start with google.

 

[moshow9]

Re: Disposal of Li Ion batteries?

Do you have a Best Buy? They offer recycling for lithium batteries, usually located at the entrance.