Batteries: Life and Death

Adapted from the Go Green Glen Ellyn newsletter

Did you know February 18 was National Battery Day? We didn't either! As battery usage increases, we should think about their impact on the environment and what we can do to make them more sustainable. Single-use batteries may be the first batteries that come to mind when you hear the word, but these tips also concern rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ones, that go inside cellphones, laptops, and more. 

The Pluses and Minuses of Batteries

Batteries are made from metals and minerals mined from the Earth using processes that are often damaging to the environment. When batteries are recycled, these materials can be captured and reused. This reduces the need for newly mined material. 

Disposal Dangers 

For most battery chemistries, the greatest concern is toxic material being landfilled or contaminating the recycling stream. For all types of lithium chemistry batteries, which are common in technology, the biggest concern is fire! Garbage and recycling collection trucks use powerful compactors that crush materials. These processes can cause a battery to explode.

Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc) can safely be placed in the trash, but not the recycling.

Why Recycle Batteries? 

Recycling batteries is important because valuable elements can be extracted and reused in new products at the end of a battery’s life cycle; in some cases, it’s possible that entire lithium batteries can be repurposed for a second use, powering transport and factory vehicles.  

How to Green Your Batteries

Did you know that you can replace your single-use batteries with rechargeable ones? There are now rechargeable versions of alkaline batteries! Rechargeable versions are widely available at online and in-store retailers. Bonus: you will keep many single use batteries out of the landfill! Go Green Glen Ellyn has personally tested Amazon and Energizer brand rechargeable AA batteries. Check out some additional reviews here. You will need to get a charger; we recommend one that can charge both AA and AAA.

Batteries CANNOT be recycled in your home recycling bin. They may only be recycled through special collection programs or drop-offs.

Place strips of clear tape over the terminals of the battery you would like to recycle. This ensures your safety, as well as the safety of store employees and folks at the recycling center.

All battery types except alkaline ones are accepted at the City of Chicago’s Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Facility. Some retailers, like Best Buy, also run programs to collect certain types of batteries. See a full list at Recycle by City.

Send questions to environment@lwvchicago.org or attend our Zoom meetings the third Monday of each month from 4-5 pm.