Recyclable or not? Wisconsin DNR explains how to safely discard dead batteries. | Post Crescent
UWGB website hosts the Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory
Reader question: What are the rules for discarding dead batteries in Wisconsin? Can I recycle them or not?
Answer: The rules vary according to the type of battery, which I will explain below.
There is one universal rule, however, for residents and businesses: Don’t place any batteries in the curbside recycling bin.
“Batteries & electronics are a fire hazard and should never go in recycling carts,” states the Tri-County Recycling Guide for Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources created a two-page guide titled “Household Battery Recycling” to explain common types of batteries and how to safely discard them.
Wisconsin has no legal requirements for the disposal of household-generated batteries, with the exception of lead-acid automotive batteries and lithium-ion batteries when contained in landfill-banned electronics.
Lead-acid batteries: Recycling required
Lead-acid automotive batteries are banned from disposal in landfills and can be brought to any Wisconsin retailer that sells the batteries for recycling. The service is free to customers who buy a new battery. Otherwise, a fee may be charged.
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Rechargeable batteries: Recycling encouraged
Rechargeable batteries labeled as alkaline (manganese), lithium, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride should be recycled at drop-off sites. Sealed lead-acid batteries used in power tools, wheelchairs and metal detectors also should be recycled at drop-off sites.
The batteries may be thrown in the trash if recycling is not a viable option, the DNR says.
The DNR recommends visiting the Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory website at uwgb.edu/recycling or the Call2Recycle.org website to see what drop-off locations are available in your area.
My search for “rechargeable batteries” and “Appleton” using the Wisconsin Recycling Markets Directory produced eight drop-off locations:
- Ace Hardware, 500 E. Northland Ave.
- Batteries Plus, 3719 E. Calumet St.
- Batteries Plus, 4190 W. Wisconsin Ave.
- Home Depot, 2201 S. Kensington Drive
- Interstate All Battery Center, 4740 W. Packard St.
- Lowe’s, 3255 W. Van Roy Road
- M&K Enterprises, 5140 N. Ballard Road
- Resources Solutions, 121 N. Linwood Ave.
The same search on the Call2Recycle.org produced two additional sites:
- uBreakiFix, 2442 W. College Ave.
- Home Depot, 653 N. Westhill Blvd.
In addition, Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties accept rechargeable batteries free of charge.
- Brown County Hazardous Material Recovery Facility, 2561 S. Broadway, Green Bay
- Outagamie County Recycling & Solid Waste, 1919 Holland Road, Appleton
- Winnebago County Solid Waste & Recycling, 100 W. County Y, Oshkosh
