Bloomfield Recycling Committee releases battery recycling information

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — In an effort to help residents understand the rules regarding battery recycling, the Bloomfield Recycling Committee has released the following tips:

• Regular household batteries, like alkaline batteries, can be placed in with regular solid waste. These batteries are deemed non-hazardous and there is really no local market for the limited recycling of them. If a person really wants to recycle these batteries, there are a few, mail-in services that accept batteries for recycling. 
• Other batteries — rechargeable, watch and lithium ion — can be brought to the county household hazardous waste days. The next one is Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 99 W. Bradford Ave. in Cedar Grove. For more information visit ecuanj.com or call 973-792-9060. Residents may also go to www.call2recycle.org, which is the website for a battery-recycling organization that has information and a mail-back store where residents can purchase a kit to send back batteries of different types and in different conditions.
• For rechargeable batteries, stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s will take them back at the front entrances. There is a special drop-off location, but you should check with the store prior to dropping off due to COVID-19.
• Lead acid batteries are recycled at locations that sell them, typically auto repair stores, etc. 

“In Bloomfield, we are striving to be as sustainable and environmentally conscious as we can be,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “I hope that these tips will allow residents to more easily understand how they can best recycle batteries in a way that will be both convenient and responsible.” 

For more information about safe recycling, visit http://www.ecuanj.com/household_hazardous_waste_list_2012.html.

  Essex County Environmental Center