What do you do with your old two-way radio batteries you don’t use anymore? Don’t throw them in the trash, you can recycle them! And no, I don’t mean your household one! Recycling radio batteries is a sustainable way to make sure your batteries are properly disposed of and do not end up in landfills.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of properly recycling radio batteries and where you can send your old dead ones.
Benefits of Recycling Batteries
Billions of batteries end up in landfills each year in the United States alone. Taking the extra step in properly recycling your batteries can be very beneficial to helping you and everyone around you. Here are a few ways recycling can help improve the environment.
- Can be made into new products.
- Fewer batteries in our landfills.
- Less toxic metals go into streams, rivers, and oceans.
- Better for the environment.
- Reduce the risk of fire from improper disposal.
What are Recycling Batteries Made Into?
Batteries have valuable metals, and when recycled properly, can be recovered and made into something new. Ah, the power of recycling!
Nickel batteries (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn) can be recycled into silverware, pots and pans, golf clubs, and new batteries. Lithium batteries can be recycled into steel, stainless steel, and new batteries too.
What Batteries Can Be Recycled?
- Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
- Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-Mh)
- Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
- Alkaline (single-use batteries)
- Primary Lithium
- Lead
How and Where to Recycle Your Old Batteries
Rechargeable batteries like lithium-ion and nickel batteries should NOT be thrown in your household recycling bin. Here are a couple of ways you can recycle batteries.
1. Certified Drop-Off Locations
There are thousands of certified drop-off locations around the country that will accept your old batteries for FREE. In partnership with Call2Recycle, Home Depot, Lowes, and Staples have kiosks where you can drop off your batteries.
Some locations only accept certain types of batteries so verify with the store before dropping them off.
You can find a location and what they’ll accept near you at https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/
2. Mail-In Programs
Companies like EasyPak, Call2Recycle, and Waste Management, have convenient on-demand recycling programs. These mail-in programs let you buy a box (depending on battery weight), fill it with your old batteries, and return it to them for proper disposal. These programs usually have prepaid shipping labels.
If you have damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) Lithium-Ion batteries, they require different shipping and handling. Check with the company to see what solutions they offer for DDR batteries.
3. Collection Events
Surrounding counties often host several Hazardous Waste collection events each year to let you properly dispose of certain materials, like your batteries. Visit your county’s website or call for details to know when and where the next event will be hosted. Be sure to check what materials they are accepting before dropping them off.
Wrap Up
Thanks for taking the time to read about all the ways you can recycle your two-way radio batteries. Recycling batteries the right way has its benefits on the world around you by helping the environment. Remember, don't dispose of old batteries in the trash or at-home recycling bin.
Waveband Communications is a two-way radio accessories manufacturer for the largest names in radios including Motorola, Kenwood, Harris, and more. Need a replacement radio battery after you recycle it? Waveband offers replacement batteries that are guaranteed to last throughout the day. Shop now.
Waveband has been selected 29th overall for the 70 Best Telecom Blogs and Websites. Thanks, Feedspot!
