Batteries are one of the leading causes of landfill and building fires around the world, but these kinds of fires are preventable. To help our communities make smarter choices about what they’re throwing into their garbage, Crawford County Solid Waste has introduced a new battery collection program.
The purpose of the collection program is to increase awareness of proper hazardous battery disposal in our communities. Crawford County Solid Waste has partnered with local area businesses to establish battery collection sites that residents may use free of charge. At each of these sites, residents will find a battery collection container labeled with the different types of batteries that are hazardous and should be placed in these containers.
City Hall in Charter Oak, Deloit, Denison, Dow City, Manilla, Ricketts, Schleswig, and Westside. Other Denison locations include Adaptive Audiology Solutions, Stern Electric Solutions, Thrify White Drug, and Topko Drug.
Not sure if a battery is hazardous? Let us help you! If it’s an alkaline battery, toss it in your trash. Examples of alkaline batteries are AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries. These batteries are safe to dispose of in the landfill.
Batteries, just like everything else that enters a landfill, are compacted and crushed by heavy machines. But did you know that certain batteries are explosive if they endure too much pressure and weight? Hazardous batteries such as lithium, lithium-ion, nickle/metal hydride (Ni-MH), mercury and silver oxide, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad), and lead contain materials that will ignite if the battery is punctured. When the insides of these batteries meet the water in the air, they react vigorously. Their reaction produces high heat, an intense flame, and the perfect fuel to start a fire in a landfill or a transfer station building.
Examples of batteries that are hazardous waste include:
Click here to learn more about safe battery disposal and see all battery collection locations. Have more questions? Please call us at 712-263-8454.