If it lights up, makes noise or moves without a plug, it has a battery! Batteries make our daily lives more convenient. Once they are used, though, they must be disposed of properly.
If thrown in the trash or recycling, batteries can catch fire and pose a threat to people and property. Some batteries also contain toxic metals, such as cadmium, lead or mercury, which can pose a threat to health and the environment.
Put batteries in their place by taking them to a drop-off facility.
Batteries collected at drop-off locations are sent to processing facilities where valuable metals are recovered from them. These metals are then used to make products such as pots and pans, new batteries and even golf clubs!
Common alkaline batteries are acceptable to throw in the trash, but they are easily confused with other types of batteries, including rechargeable batteries and lithium batteries, which can cause fires in the trash or recycling. With so many different types of batteries in use these days, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties encourage residents to bring all batteries to drop-off sites for safe disposal.
The Be a Battery Hero Campaign is a project of Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties. Please share campaign messaging with the communities you work with. You can download campaign assets below. Materials available in multiple languages.
