As daylight saving time ends Nov. 2 and Americans set their clocks back one hour, it’s a time when many diligent folks change the batteries in their home smoke detectors. And with plenty of holiday cooking around the corner, Waste Management of San Diego uses the occasion to remind its communities that proper disposal and recycling of batteries is easy and the right thing to do.
“With that extra hour, you have the gift of time to ensure a safe and delicious holiday season” Bill Bixler district manager of Waste Management of San Diego said. “It’s important to check your home smoke detection devices before the holiday cooking begins, and it’s just as important to properly handle and recycle batteries that are no longer in use.”
“Some types of batteries contain toxic constituents, such as mercury and cadmium,” Bixler said. “Batteries do not belong in the trash.”
Many states have regulations in place requiring battery recycling. They can be brought to a sanctioned place and there are mail-in programs too. Waste Management of San Diego residential customers can easily dispose of used batteries at the El Cajon Recycling Center located on 925 O'Conner St. El Cajon, CA 92020 Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
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Used batteries accepted for collection are AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, alkaline, rechargeable, lithium and coin cells, and small button-size.
For more information on batteries, including relevant legislation, industry initiatives and publications, folks can visit EPA’s Common Wastes and Materials Battery link. Batteries and smoke detectors should never be placed in a household recycling bin.
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In addition, smoke alarms and detectors contain small amounts of radioactive waste, and should only be handled by an electronics recycling plant. EPA has an informative section on smoke detectors on its Web site.
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