How do I like... dispose lipo & li-ion batteries?

So I replaced the battery of my Graphing Calculator and my Headphones just recently, and now i’m left with 2 batteries that I don’t how to dispose of.

As far as I am aware, there are no battery recycling stations around me (if that’s a thing, I heard it is), and If there are any, I kind of need to be told where lol!

The Headphone Battery was full capacity when I replaced it, oh and because it was attached via adhesive, it flexed a good amount during removal so i’m afraid to keep it.

Graphing Calculator Battery doesn’t hold a charge anymore.

Please help? Thanks :)

Edit: I currently live in California if that helps :)

Contramuffin,

Hmm, that’s difficult. Some electronic hardware stores take in batteries (Microcenter comes to mind, but I bet others do something similar). I think some libraries take in batteries too, but I don’t recall where I heard that, or if i just misremembered - could be worth checking your local library if they do.

If nothing else, universities basically always have a battery disposal, but the bins themselves can be frustratingly difficult to find sometimes

sagrotan,
@sagrotan@lemmy.world avatar

In Germany I bring them to a “Wertstoffhof” (recycling station), open 24/7, they’re all over the country (not all are 24/7 open, but they are daily open)

pimento64,

I just throw them in the ocean personally

MarsRT,

… well that would give me an excuse to go to the beach

kraxyk,

In the US, Staples, Best Buy, Batteries Plus, etc. all take them.

MarsRT,

Best Buy would probably be my best bet, thanks!

Mac,

Please report back and update your post so others can see in the future.

MarsRT,

I’ll be sure to!

Coasting0942,

Batteries plus told me to throw them in the trash can

surewhynotlem,

I’m convinced that entire company is a scam. I wouldn’t be surprised to find theyre a front for something.

litchralee,

In the US, Home Depot and Lowes have drop-off bins for rechargeable batteries by the front door.

Try to tape up at least one end of the battery or one lead from the battery, to prevent discharge fires.

MarsRT,

When you say taping up one end of the battery, do you mean the battery itself or the connections/plugs? My headphone battery is one of those plug-in connectors, my calculator battery is like a nokia battery.

fishos,
@fishos@lemmy.world avatar

Connections/Plugs. That way the terminals on the batterys/plugs can’t touch and spark/overheat. Also why you shouldn’t store batteries, especially button cell batteries, in bulk piles/bags. Keep them organized so the ends aren’t touching.

MarsRT,

Got it! I’ll wrap the ends with electrical tape then (I assume that’s what you use electric tape for), thank you for the tip!

fishos,
@fishos@lemmy.world avatar

That’s a good use, yes. Electrical tape doesn’t conduct electricity, so it’s used in all kinds of electronic repairs. You’re welcome

litchralee,

My town has previously distributed tape dispensers specifically to tape up battery ends, for exactly the scenario of tossing them loosely into bags. It’s a good idea, although they seemed to have stopped distributing for some reason. It was simple cellophane tape, like for mending paper, but wider than normal.

fishos,
@fishos@lemmy.world avatar

Any plastic tape should work. Electrical tape is just extra sticky and extra rubbery to be even moreso safe with electronics and last longer. But any nonconductive tape should work. If I’m taping a battery I plan to use again one day, I’ll use brown masking tape or blue painters tape so it’s easier to remove.

Ottomateeverything,

Lots of phone/laptop repair shops have to dispose of batteries anyway, some will just take them for you. May want to call ahead and such though. I’ve had some luck with best buy etc too.

MarsRT,

You can dispose batteries at Best Buy? Do you know where in the Best Buy you would do that in?

kvasir476,

Used to be bins right inside the door. If they’re gone I’d just ask customer service.

MarsRT,

Like trash bins? I do know those are in the entrance.

kvasir476,

No, bins marked for recycling batteries, phones, etc.

I don’t know if they were/are at every store though.

MarsRT,

Oh okay! I’ll look out for them if I decide to dispose my batteries there.

Tylerdurdon,

In the US, we have stores called “Batteries Plus.” I have no idea where my recycling center is, but these people take all your batteries. I have a box for bad batteries with a tester nearby and go unload occasionally. They seem happy enough to take them.

MarsRT,

I searched up the store, the downside is that they’re all extremely far, even by car, so I cannot go there :( Thanks for the suggestion though :)

Tylerdurdon,

Doh! Sorry man.

AA5B,

Home Depot?

slazer2au,

Netherlands: take them to a Jumbo and dispose of them in the bin next to the lightbulb bin.

Australia: take them to Battery World and they will dispose of them.

Kinda depends where in the world you live.

viking,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

Without knowing where you live (at least the country…) your guess is as good as mine.

Where I’m from I can drop old batteries off at every electronics retailer and they have to recycle/dispose of them.

MarsRT,

Oh sorry about that,

right now, I live in the US, specifically in California if that helps :)

viking,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Electronics/eRecycle/

That should list all nearby recycling centers. They don’t mention batteries specifically, but this sub-page does and it links there, so I’m assuming batteries are considered part of the e-waste: calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/batteries/

MarsRT,

Found a recycling spot! A bit far, but I recognize the area so I can get there during a weekend or something. I’ll see if they accept batteries.

Thank you so much for helping me!

bestusername,
@bestusername@aussie.zone avatar

Contact your local council.

HappycamperNZ,

Standard recycling centers should take them.

Country dependant

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