Today is National Battery Day, and the DNR is reminding the public of the dangers of throwing used batteries and electronics in the trash.
With an uptick in fires in collection trucks and at recycling and disposal facilities, the DNR is working with the state’s waste and recycling industry to raise consumer awareness about the proper disposal of used batteries and electronics.
Many batteries, especially powerful lithium-ion batteries in small electronics, can hold a considerable charge even when they no longer provide sufficient energy to power a device.
When these batteries are damaged, they can spark or react in ways that can lead to a fire. Batteries are accepted at the Manitowoc County Recycling Center.
According to Operations Manager Jon Reisenbuechler, recycling fees vary from free to $1.25/lb depending on the type of battery, and most rechargeable batteries are accepted for free.
For more info on recycling electronics, visit the Recycling Center section of ManitowocCountyWI.gov.
