SENECA FALLS – Did you know that you are now legally responsible for recycling your rechargeable batteries? That's right. According to a provision in the New York State Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act, as of December 5, 2011 New Yorkers must recycle all of their rechargeable nickel cadmium, sealed lead, lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, and any other dry cell rechargeable batteries weighing less than 25 pounds. (The law does not cover vehicle batteries or non-rechargeable batteries such as common alkaline batteries.)
For those of you who are not up on your battery types, the rechargeable batteries destined for recycling include those found in your cordless power tools, laptops, telephones, cameras and other electronic devices. The valuable metals found in these batteries are melted down and reformed into new batteries, as are the plastics.
So where can you go to do your recycling duty? The Seneca Meadows Landfill announced this week that it is now accepting rechargeable batteries at its recycling drop-off location at the landfill site on Route 414 during open hours: Monday - Friday from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturdays from 6:00 to 11:30 am, and Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 am. The program is free and open to all residents and businesses. Other drop-off locations include select retail stores that sell these items.
Rechargeable batteries are just one of the many items that are being recycled via the Seneca Meadows drop-off service. Other acceptable recyclables include electronic waste (weekend drop-off only), and household recyclables. For more information, contact Joe DeTorio at 315-539-5624.
For more information on the New York State Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's website.
