Battery Recycling for Business or Home

Ever worry about throwing away non-recyclable batteries?

Our small retail business purchased a 2 gallon battery collection pail from Battery Solutions, and customers brought in their used batteries. It was gratifying to offer the service (and to have it for our own use, too.)

For $8 plus shipping, Battery Solutions will send you the small pail, which holds about 25 pounds of batteries. When you return the pail to Battery Solutions, the cost to recycle the batteries is 85 cents a pound, plus shipping.

It took almost a year for customers to fill the pail...and in the end, I didn't send it to Battery Solutions; instead, I schlepped it up to the NYC Department of Sanitation garage at 30th between 11th and 12th, where my tax dollars paid to have the batteries recycled. (That said, the Battery Solutions pail seemed like a safe way to store the batteries.) The drop-off center at the garage also accepts fluorescent tubes/bulbs and latex paint, along with a host of other less typical New York refuse, such as automobile batteries.

The New York Department of Sanitation also recommends The Big Green Box for recycling batteries and portable electronic devices. This service looks similar to Battery Solutions, but streamlined: for $58, they ship you a box that holds 40 pounds of recyclable materials. The return shipping and recycling is included; when the box is full, you call UPS to pick it up.

I might try this next.

Time to Exhale

This is a great country.

The pendulum swings one way, and then the other. I'd prefer that the pendulum stay a bit more towards the middle of its range, rather careening between extremes. That said, we've been on a 6+ year inhalation. It is going to feel good to let go of that in-breath!

The Grist Muckraker points out that environmental issues were at the forefront of several key elections.

I am grateful and optimistic for whatever forces created this motion.