Battery Recycling

South Brunswick has been collecting household batteries at the recycling center for many years as part of a Middlesex County program. Due to D.O.T. regulatory changes and less hazardous battery compositions, collection practices will now change.
Since the New Jersey Dry Cell Battery Management Act was adopted in 1991 and the Federal Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act was adopted in 1996, household battery manufacturers have begun manufacturing alkaline batteries with no added mercury. Alkaline batteries now fall below Federal and State hazardous waste standards and can be disposed of in the regular trash.

WHAT TYPES OF BATTERIES SHOULD I RECYCLE?

Recycle all Rechargeable Batteries. • Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) • Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) • Lithium Ion (Li-ion) • Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn) • Small Sealed Lead-less than 11 lbs (Pb)
Rechargeable batteries can be found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, twoway radios, camcorders, and remote control toys. Rechargeable batteries sometimes look like regular alkaline batteries. The label on the battery will indicate if it is rechargeable.

PREPARING BATTERIES FOR RECYCLING

For increased safety when transporting rechargeable batteries, the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) has enacted new regulations which require special preparations before batteries are transported. Residents must either individually bag each battery or place a piece of tape on each of the terminal ends.

WHAT ABOUT BUTTON CELL BATTERIES?

Most button cell batteries still contain mercury. These batteries should be brought to South Brunswick’s recycling center.

Public Works

Raymond T. Olsen
Director
540 Ridge Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
732-329-4000 x7260
rolsen@sbtnj.net

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