If you have ever tossed batteries or similar products into a trash can, believe it or not, you are breaking the law and now are required to recycle them.
Under California Assembly Bill 2440 The Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 it states, “This bill would enact the Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022, which would require producers, as defined, either individually or through the creation of one or more stewardship organizations, to establish a stewardship program for the collection and recycling of covered batteries, as defined.”
The United States Environmental Protection Agency states on their website some of the dangers batteries can bring to human life.
“Batteries can contain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel and silver, which can pose a threat to human health or the environment when improperly managed at the end of their service life,” the website reads.
The National Fire Protection Association also states batteries like Lithium-ion batteries found on small devices such as our cell phones are prone to explosions or causing fires once they arrive at landfill facilities.
The batteries for bigger electric objects of daily use such as scooters, e-bikes, and vehicles can also pose a threat.
It is recommended to take batteries off of the charger once they are full and if damage is noticed to stop usage. Batteries should also only be repaired by professionals qualified to work on them.
The Safety and Risk Management Team has partnered up with Sustainability on campus to combat this issue at both the Turlock and Stockton campuses.
In an email notifying students of the new recycling bins the email states batteries, ink cartridges, toner, and electronic waste recycling will be available around the Turlock campus. 13 dual bins will be dedicated for certain batteries and used ink cartridges.
Anyone looking to recycle at the Stockton campus may email Michael Tablett at mtablett@csustan.edu. Those who would like to recycle batteries at a different location other than campus may also visit, https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/. The option to find a nearby location is available. For more information students may also contact risk@csustan.edu.
Courtesy : Csusignal.com
