“Lithium batteries are disposable batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode.” An anode is the positively charged electrode. Lithium-ion batteries are their rechargeable counterparts. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries had been in the works since the early 1900s but made their way into markets being commercially available in the early 1970s.
Attempts to develop rechargeable lithium batteries followed in the eighties. These early models were based on metallic lithium and offered very high energy density. However, inherent instabilities of lithium metal, especially during charging, put a damper on the development. The cell had the potential of a thermal run-away. The temperature would quickly rise to the melting point of the metallic lithium and cause a violent reaction.”
Much more research and development went into lithium batteries, specifically using a non-metallic battery that uses lithium ions. Although these batteries had only a slightly lower energy density, they proved to be much safer when charging, using and disposing of them.
“Today, lithium-ion is one of the most successful and safe battery chemistries available. Two billion cells are produced every year.” Disposing of all of these batteries
Disposal of household batteries in small quantities is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Larger quantities, however, “are regulated under the Universal rules of Hazardous Waste regulations (40 CFR PART 273).”
“While there are no federal regulations for disposal of lithium batteries, individual states or localities can establish their own guidelines for battery disposal, and should be contacted for any disposal guidelines that they may have.”
If you must dispose of household batteries, you may throw them into your regular trash unless you have a larger quantity that would exceed a normal household amount.
For more information on your local battery disposal guidelines, call your local trash hauler. For more information on trash and recyclable items visit www.wasteawaygroup.com.
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