By John E. Weare
KAB
Batteries are everywhere, from AA’s falling out of the television remote to the power source for a cell phone. Life expectancy varies. People know where the spent cells do not go (the trash) though responsible disposal options have not always been clear or convenient. Keep Nebraska Beautiful updated affiliates on battery recycling at the 2025 convention.
Keep Alliance Beautiful had been accepting batteries (most anything smaller than what fits under the hood of a car) for some time before I came on board six years ago. We continue to include batteries with electronics to be transported regularly for processing in Colorado. However, it was reassuring to hear about Nebraska’s approach where safety is paramount.
Kent Holm, director of environmental services for Douglas County, illustrated the hazards of batteries, such as a fatal e-bike repair shop fire, before outlining legislation signed by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen – the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2027. From that moment on businesses cannot sell non-compliant batteries in Nebraska. Recycling sites are also available, including a public-only dropoff point in Scotts Bluff County among 34 already open in Nebraska.
Carin Stuart, director of steward services at Call2Recycle, described the company’s role in battery recycling – 160 million pounds dating back to 1994, as well as how extended producer responsibility (EPR) is essential to reclaiming batteries and other hard to recycle products. She said Oregon, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have active legislation similar to our state’s new act.
During 2024, Carin said, 14,000 pounds of batteries were collected in Nebraska with 11,000 pounds rechargeable. “Typically 65 percent of what’s collected is alkaline (which is) not the culprit of fires.” The more volatile lithium ion batteries contain the valuable metals to salvage while processors glean the steel shell from alkaline batteries. Carin explained they pushed for all batteries in the bill because “consumers are all or nothing” as people want to bring all their dead batteries when recycling.
“The mission now is how can we grow the network and get people to recycle? There are other materials out there with blue prints in other states,” Kent said, referring to common items such as propane bottles and the potential to recycle relatively new cast offs such as disposable vapes.
Recycling not only keeps waste out of the landfill, the practice can promote safety. Prevent potential fires and pollution by bringing batteries to KAB or find another area site by visiting www.call2recycle.org