[Lexington, Ky.] – A joint effort between the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Environmental Commission, Bluegrass PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment), and Good Foods Market and Café is underway to collect household batteries for recycling. Accepted batteries include alkaline, lithium, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and lithium ion. Wet batteries and car batteries will not be accepted.
Proper disposal of batteries is important because they contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of. Batteries that end up in landfills can leak, potentially polluting ground water and soil.The batteries will be collected through the Big Green Box, a national program offering companies, consumers and cities a low cost and easy way to recycle batteries. Once the boxes are full, they are shipped and sorted by chemistry type before being processed for recycling.
“We are very excited to be sponsoring this program and collaborating with Bluegrass PRIDE and other community businesses that are providing drop off locations for the used batteries. This program will improve both the environment and community relations,” said Sandy Camargo, LFUCG Environmental Commission chair.
Battery drop-off locations are The Arboretum, Bluegrass PRIDE, Central Library, Good Foods Market and Café, and the Fayette County Extension Office. At the time of drop off, each battery should be placed in a separate plastic bag. If plastic bags are not available, terminal ends must be taped using electrical or masking tape.
“Bluegrass PRIDE is excited to work with the LFUCG Environmental Commission to provide a way to safely dispose of household batteries. Battery recycling has been in demand in this area for a long time and we’re looking forward to a successful program,” said PRIDE Executive Director, Amy Sohner.
A less wasteful alternative to traditional household batteries is rechargeable batteries. These reduce waste and potentially save consumers money because of their longer life spans. At the end of their useful life, rechargeable batteries can be properly disposed of through the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (www.rbrc.org). They may also be dropped off at Bluegrass PRIDE’s offices, 3120 Pimlico Parkway, Suite 126, Lexington.
Established in 1969, the Lexington-Fayette Environmental Commission initiates and participates in environmental education, awareness and stewardship programs.
Bluegrass PRIDE is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing environmental resources and information to schools, community groups, local governments and citizens throughout 18 counties in Central Kentucky. To learn more, log on to www.KentuckyPRIDE.com.
