Most people have some kind of drawer full of junk, and you'll usually find a dead battery or two in your own junk drawer. Disposing of them properly can keep you - and your waste hauler - safe!

Household Batteries: You have probably heard that you were never supposed to throw away AA, AAA, or other letter named batteries in the trash. This was because in the past, they were made from harmful heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel. But many companies started removing these ingredients from their products in the early 1990’s and the 1996 Battery Act meant they all had to phase out mercury, so the "letter-named" batteries we use today (AA, AAA, etc.) are safe to throw directly into the trash.

Always tape the top terminals of your D & 9volt batteries with duct or electrical tape before throwing them in your trash to prevent a spark and a fire should batteries come into contact with each other.

Rechargeable Batteries: Cell phone, laptop, power tool, and any other electronic rechargeable batteries should not be thrown away in your regular trash. They contain nickel cadmium, which can create hazardous leachate. Rechargeable batteries can be returned to be recycled at numerous retail stores.

You can also drop off rechargeable batteries free of charge at the Miami County Transfer Station and Recycling Center. All techargeable batteries must have the terminals taped with electrical or duct tape to eliminate any type of spark. All batteries 9 volt and above must have terminals taped.

Lead Acid Batteries: Car, truck, boat, RV, motorcycle, lawn mower and any other type of large lead acid batteries are not permitted to be thrown away in your regular trash - in fact, trashing them is illegal. They can be returned to any local battery retailer (many auto shops offer a deposit for returning batteries) or can be dropped off at the Miami County Solid Waste and Recycling Facility to be recycled.

No matter what you do with your batteries, make sure you tape the terminals with electrical or duct tape, or leave them in the regular packaging. Even "dead" batteries can have a little spark left, and can cause a fire if they come into contact with other batteries.