Although batteries, both single use and rechargeable have been banned from landfills in California since February 8, 2006, there are still some people who do not realize or who have forgotten that they cannot go in the trash.
Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic and corrosive materials they contain. The ban is for all batteries including AAA through D, button batteries that are used in such things as watches, hearing aids, and calculators as well as car batteries. Although it is tempting to just toss those two AA’s in the trash basket, we hope people will remember to handle this material responsibly.
If everyone threw away just one battery a year, with the three billion that are purchased annually in America, the potential for land and groundwater pollution is very high. The good news is that batteries can be safely disposed and ultimately will be recycled if placed in one of the battery tubes at City Hall, the lobby at the Maintenance Facility at 336 Sanjon Road, the front lobby of the Police/Fire Headquarters on Dowell or taken to Gold Coast Recycling 5275 Colt Street. They cannot go in the recycling container.
On the third Saturday of the month, the City sponsors a Hazardous Waste Collection Event, (see www.cityofventura.net/HHW) held at Gold Coast Recycling. It is free for all City of Ventura residents. Batteries are accepted at the event along with aerosol cans, pesticides, paint, motor oil and filters as well as other automotive fluids, household cleaners, fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs. Call the City of Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division at 652-4525 Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to make an appointment. It’s fast and easy to do. So please for your health and safety and that of our community, please keep all batteries out of the trash.
Christine Wied, Environmental Specialist, cwied@ci.ventura.ca.us
