What do you do after your electronic devices have sucked the life out of your batteries? Do you throw them away? Do you think to yourself, “I can’t just throw these away; batteries in landfills can’t be good for the environment, especially our water supply.” Well, if you’re like me, you want to find a safe way to dispose of your batteries. That’s probably how you landed on this page in the first place, right? Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about where to recycle batteries in Indianapolis. Let’s get started.
How Batteries Affect Our Environment
Batteries manufactured more than 20 years ago are/were truly poisonous to our environment. These batteries contained mercury, which is incredibly toxic to our groundwater supply and waste stream. Americans dump about 2.5 batteries into landfills each year. So tossing by tossing a few used batteries in the trash here and there, we could be contributing to a huge environmental problem as batteries account for 50% of the mercury and cadmium pollution found in our landfills.
Today’s alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury, but are made using metals like steel, zinc, and manganese. Although common household batteries like AAs, AAAs, Cs, Ds, and 9 volts don’t contain mercury, they should still be recycled. According to Duracell, “It is important not to dispose of large amounts of alkaline batteries in a group.”
Today’s rechargeable batteries, like the one’s found in cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players, pose a major threat to our environment when dumped into landfills or are incinerated. These rechargeable batteries contain toxic heavy metals that sealed up inside and should always be recycled. Thankfully, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) collects used rechargeable batteries with an industry-wide battery “take back” program for recycling. You can find where to recycle rechargeable batteries in Indianapolis here.
Where to Recycle Batteries in Indianapolis
Where to Recycle Batteries in Indianapolis: Locations
Batteries Plus (They charge $1.00 per pound, but you also get $1.00 in-store credit for every pound of batteries you recycle).
Your County’s ToxDrop Location
Honestly, that’s it! Sad, huh? The Indianapolis Public Library used to take used batteries for recycling but has discontinued the program. Also, Radio Shack only recycles rechargeable batteries; you can find rechargeable battery recycling locations here.
Happy Recycling! The Fire Dawgs of Indianapolis are proud of you for your commitment to keeping our Earth beautiful!
