BATTERY RECYCLING
Why Can't I Just Throw My Old Batteries In The Garbage?
Batteries contain several different toxic materials. Lead and mercury are the most notable hazardous metals found in household batteries. But they also can contain cadmium, another highly toxic metal similar to lead and mercury. Alkaline batteries have toxic chemicals and acids which react to produce their power. Even though the battery no longer produces substantial power to run your electronic device, the toxic materials are still present and can be as potent as the day the battery was new.
When you throw out one of these "dead" batteries, you are giving these toxic materials a way into the ground and as a result, a way into our water supplies, including drinking water. Even though batteries represent less than one percent by weight of municipal solid waste, they account for fifty-two (52) percent of all the cadmium and eighty-eight (88) percent of all the mercury found in the municipal waste stream.
What Should I Do With My Old Batteries?
You should recycle your old batteries, which is why the Solid Waste District of La Porte County Household Hazardous Waste program runs a collection and recycling program for household batteries.
What Difference Does It Make If I Don't Recycle My Batteries?
It makes a big difference. We, as Americans, use roughly two billion "disposable" batteries each year. Our program has been in effect since 1996, and since that time, we have collected almost 40,000 pounds of household batteries. In 1998 alone, we collected close to 20,000 pounds. This is a significant amount of which people like yourselves played a very important role.
Does It Cost Me Anything To Use Your Program?
No. The program is free to all residents and there are two different ways to use it; you can either choose one of the following public drop-off sites or the batteries may be brought to one of our mobile collection sites during the outdoor season.
Public Battery Drop-off Boxes:
NAMEADDRESS
*Al's Supermarkets- 702 E. Lincolnway - LP
2600 S. Franklin St. - MC
Karwick Plaza - MC
Amoco, J-Mart10300 Highway 30, Wanatah, IN 46390
Amoco, J-Mart 2913 Highway 421, Westville, IN 46391
Batteries Plus, 4343 S.Franklin Street,Michigan City
*Kabelin Ace Hardware 512 Andrew Ave. LaPorte, IN 46350
Kabelin Ace Hardware 605 E. Lincolnway Ave. La Porte,IN 46350
*Kabelin Ace Hardware 432 St. John Rd. Michigan City,IN 46360
Kingsford Hts. Community Building 515 Wayland Road Kingsford Heights,IN 46346
*La Porte City Hall 801 Michigan Avenue, La Porte,IN 46350
La Porte County Court House 813 Lincolnway (by switchboard)LaPorte, IN 46350
*LaPorte County Health Department County Complex - 4th Floor,LaPorte, IN 46350
*LaPorte County Health Department 802 W. 8th Street, Michigan City,IN 46360
FSA - Farm Services Agency/ US Dept of Ag100 Legacy Plaza, LaPorte, IN 46350
Michigan City Senior Center Two on the Lake, Michigan City,IN 46360
Michigan City - City Hall100 E. Michigan, Michigan City, IN 46360
Michigan City Water Department 719 Grand Avenue, Michigan City, IN 46360
*Old REMC Building 114 S. Main, Wanatah, IN 46390
Purdue Cooperative Extension (4-H) 2857 W. State Rd 2, La Porte, IN 46350
Purdue North Central - Schwarz Hall Room 18 and Room 73, Westville, IN 46391
Purdue North Central Room 141 - Technical Bldg., Westville,IN 46391
*Solid Waste District of La Porte Co. 2857 W. State Rd. 2, Suite 3, La Porte,IN 46350
Tracy United Methodist Church1702 E. U.S. Highway 6, LaPorte,IN 46350
Trail Creek Marina 1 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City,IN 46360
*Wanatah Town Hall114 S. Main, Wanatah, IN 46390
*Also accepts ink jet cartridges and cell phones
updated 10/23
