Recycling Batteries

Not all batteries are the same and some require specific instructions to ensure each type of battery is properly discarded or recycled.  Some batteries do contain toxic heavy metals that can include nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid. It is these elements that can threaten human health and the environment if not properly discarded.   

BATTERY DROP OFF LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS:

• Brower Student Center – entrance facing Green Hall
• Biology Building – Second Floor

The College of New Jersey battery recycling locations can accept any and all types of batteries. Below is a description of each type of battery:

Alkaline Batteries: 

The Mercury Reduction Act has removed all mercury from the alkaline type batteries.  These are the single use, most common battery type.  Because of the mercury reduction, some landfill bans of alkaline batteries and recycling programs taking them have ceased.  We can still accept these at our campus battery recycling container locations.

Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd): 

These batteries are generally the rechargeable batteries.  All NiCd batteries are identified as hazardous waste and must be recycled.  

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-Ion:

These batteries are commonly used in laptops.  They are considered non-hazardous waste, but do contain heavy metals that can be recycled. 

Button Cell: 

These are the round batteries that are commonly used in hearing aids, calculators and watches.  These batteries contain silver, mercury and other elements that are considered hazardous. 

Sealed Lead-Based: 

Sealed lead batteries should be recycled, as they contain hazardous materials and elements that can be reused.