Most people don’t know what to do with their old batteries. They know they shouldn’t recycle them with the other recyclable items, and they know they shouldn’t put them in the trash with other domestic waste. So they end up with a huge annoying pile of old batteries in a drawer or a box. We give you several leads to stop your dead battery collection and dispose of it responsibly.

There are several places where you can bring your old batteries for recycling:

• Staples: they will take your household batteries for free. Just bring them to the Customer Service of your nearest store and they will recycle them for you (JustLiveGreener confirmed this free recycling service with a Staples Customer Service Agent on 03/05/2009). Other stores and companies, such as Jiffy Lube in over 28 locations of Los Angeles, have started chipping in on the recycling front. Call to find out if your local Jiffy Lube participates in the program.

• Hazardous waste centers, also called S.A.F.E collection centers: some universities, such as UCLA and UCSB, have drop-off locations where the community can bring hazardous waste from their household: household batteries but also car batteries and more.

• Private, battery recycling facilities. For $34.50 and up, Battery Solutions will send you a recycling kit that can hold approximately one year’s worth of batteries and other hand-held electronics for an average household, or more depending on the kit size.

Rechargeable batteries, although a more economical and ecologically responsible choice, can also pose a threat to the environment and need to be recycled properly, as above. For recycling used rechargeable batteries, you should also check out Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC).

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