Battery Disposal, Care, Handling and Battery Storage Tips (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to store handle and care for batteries? ›

EPA recommendation: Return lead-acid batteries to a battery retailer or local household hazardous waste collection program ; do not put lead-acid batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins.

Store used batteries safely in a box

Place it in a dry and well-ventilated place. Used batteries should be stored at room temperature, so do not put the box in the refrigerator or nearby the oven. Do not store small batteries in pillboxes or along with other medication.

Store lithium batteries and devices in dry, cool locations. Avoid damaging lithium batteries and devices. Inspect them for signs of damage, such as bulging/cracking, hissing, leaking, rising temperature, and smoking before use, especially if they are wearable.

Some batteries contain toxic chemicals and when they are carelessly thrown away, these chemicals can leak into groundwater or harm ecosystems. Another reason you should always recycle batteries is for safety. If not disposed of properly, batteries can overheat and start a fire.

Keep harmful materials out of the environment

When disposed of in landfill, batteries break down. The toxic materials can then leach out of the landfill and into waterways and the ocean. In fact, the mercury in the batteries you discard can end up back on your dinner plate!

The toxic materials within the batteries can be released into the environment and pose serious threats to human health and the environment. If placed in landfills, the toxic materials can leak into the soil, which can then reach our water supply.

First, before storing your battery, make sure it's not empty. Over time, batteries will leak power, so if it's stored at no charge in it, there's a chance it won't accept a charge again. Since this defeats our goal of extending the life of a battery… don't do that!

The lifespan of unused household batteries in their original packaging ranges anywhere from 5 to 20 years in storage.

How long should a battery be stored? ›

For new battery storage

Even when you charge the battery periodically, a small amount of the battery's capacity will be diminished. Most manufacturers recommend storing a battery for six to nine months maximum before use, and delaying use isn't going to extend the battery's lifespan of three to five years.

Batteries should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry area kept between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be stored away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and water. Batteries should be stacked so that they're stable and won't be bumped, knocked over or otherwise damaged.

Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. Lithium-ion batteries SHOULD be taken to separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection points .

Due to their energy releasing and chemical properties, batteries must fulfill a series of international, European and national safety requirements during their production, transport, storage, use and end-of-life phase.

What are the parts of a battery? Seven different components make up a typical household battery: container, cathode, separator, anode, electrodes, electrolyte, and collector.

A typical battery needs 3 parts to create electricity: Anode - negative side of the battery. Cathode - positive side of the battery. Electrolyte - a chemical paste that separates the anode and cathode and transforms chemical energy into electrical energy.

Li-ion batteries consist of largely four main components: cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator.

Nothing kills your battery life like a nice, bright screen. Head to your laptop's settings and turn your screen's brightness all the way up. Turn on your WiFi and open up an internet connection. Leave something that auto-refreshes open in a browser window, like sports scores.

In poorly managed landfills, batteries have the potential to leach toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium into the surrounding soil, surface and groundwater.

In order to store your batteries correctly, you should keep them in their original packaging, or place them in a plastic container – NEVER store batteries inside equipment. Keep batteries in a cool location with low humidity and make sure they are aligned in the same direction.

What is the best temperature for storing batteries? ›

Store your batteries at room temperature or below, the recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 59 °F (15 °C). As temperatures increase, especially over 100 °F (38 °C), so does internal discharge of your batteries.

While cold environments help maintain battery life, refrigerators and freezers are not safe to put batteries in. The moist environment will cause condensation on the batteries. This in turn will lead to rust or other damage. Avoid putting batteries under extreme temperatures at all times.

For loose batteries, place a strip of insulated tape across the battery's contacts or place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag or package to protect them from contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys or jewelry.

If you store your batteries in subzero weather (-15 degrees Fahrenheit or less), it can potentially crack the ABS plastic and lead to a greater loss of charge. When temperatures get further towards the extremes of cold and hot, they can self-discharge a bit more than the average 3% monthly loss.

Remove batteries, storing them in a cool, dry place where they won't freeze. (On wood surfaces, in garages or storage facilities, is recommended.) Ideally, trickle charge batteries or charge them monthly. This prevents self-discharge and extends lifespan.

Putting masking tape on batteries is one way to prevent them from touching. Ziplock bags are another way. "Putting them in plastic bags with all the negatives up, all the positives up, or however you want to do that," Dill said. "Make sure they're tight, so they don't roll around in that."

Separate Old and New Batteries.

If you mix old and new batteries in a device, you could end up with battery leakage or device damage, Duracell warns. To avoid this, store old and new batteries separately.

In short: no. While cold environments help maintain battery life, refrigerators and freezers are not safe to put batteries in. The moist environment will cause condensation on the batteries. This in turn will lead to rust or other damage.

Should you remove batteries when not in use? Yes you should always remove batteries if the device is not going to be used for a while. They will eventually deplete and leak acid.

How long can batteries stay in storage? ›

The lifespan of unused household batteries in their original packaging ranges anywhere from 5 to 20 years in storage.

Don't Let Batteries Touch Each Other or Metal Objects

This is a very bad way to store batteries because their ends can touch each other. Or, there might be metal objects like paperclips or coins in the drawer. If the batteries touch metal or each other, they could short.

A battery loses charge capacity when temperatures are extreme. Store your batteries at room temperature or below, the recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 59 °F (15 °C). As temperatures increase, especially over 100 °F (38 °C), so does internal discharge of your batteries.

Store in a Cool, Dry Area

Store used batteries in a cool and dry area. Batteries should not be stored in extreme heat, near flammable materials or in locations where there is moisture or humidity.

Thus, people started storing batteries in the freezer or refrigeration in an attempt to slow down this process of losing capacity and preserve as much juice as possible. By putting these batteries in the freezer they could hold their charge twice as long.

Leakage happens when a battery is left in a device for too long, especially when it's not used. As that device is left unused, it still periodically 'checks' for the remaining power. That puts a certain amount of stress on the battery, putting it at a greater risk for leakage.

Some batteries contain toxic chemicals and when they are carelessly thrown away, these chemicals can leak into groundwater or harm ecosystems. Another reason you should always recycle batteries is for safety. If not disposed of properly, batteries can overheat and start a fire.

Do: Store batteries in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. Remove batteries from devices that will be stored for extended periods. Don't: Dispose of batteries in a fire — they may rupture or leak. Don't: Don't carry loose batteries in a pocket or purse with metal objects like coins, paper clips, etc.

Manufacturing defects can cause leakage, but by far, the most common reason for leaky batteries is a lack of use. When batteries sit in unused devices for long periods, hydrogen can build up in the battery cell until the pressure causes the battery's insulating seals to breach.