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Rechargeable batteries and battery packs contain harmful by-products that can harm the environment. Recycling rechargeable batteries is easy and ensures that we will have a cleaner and safer community. For More Information: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County 248 Grant Ave. Auburn, NY 13021 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] Rev. 08/01 What Rechargeable Batteries can be recycled? • Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) • Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) • Lithium Ion (Li-ion) • Small Sealed Lead (Pb)* *weighing up to 2 pounds per battery. Where are Rechargeable Batteries found? • cordless power tools • cellular phones • cordless phones • laptop computers • camcorders • digital cameras • remote control toys How will I know if a Rechargeable Battery is recyclable? All rechargeable batteries listed above are recyclable. You can also look for the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation seal on the battery. Although they “recharge”, car bat- teries are not recyclable in the same manner. See the DEC factsheet Lead Acid Battery Recycling: Get a Jump on It, for more information. Where can I recycle my used Rechargeable Batteries? The following local retailers accept used rechargeable batteries from households: RadioShack Fingerlakes Mall Auburn SEARS Fingerlakes Mall Auburn Liberty Hardware Corp. 2701 Rt. 31 Weedsport Wal-Mart 297 Grant Ave. Auburn Cingular Wireless 167 3/4 Grant Ave. Auburn Verizon Wireless 196 Grant Ave. Auburn Simply Cellular 286 W. Genesee St. Auburn Black & Decker 655 Rt. 318 Waterloo Commercial Battery Company 345 State St. Auburn Circuit City Carousel Center Syracuse Best Buy Carousel Center Syracuse Peterman Lumber 3149 Rt. 414 S. Seneca Falls Rechargeable Battery Recycling ---PAGE BREAK--- Battery Tips DO: • Read and follow the charging instructions provided with your product. Each charger utilizes a specific strategy to charge the battery. • Charge your new battery overnight (14 - 16 hours) before using it. This is called “initializing” and will enable you to obtain maximum battery capacity. • Let a discharged battery cool to room temperature before recharg- ing. A warm battery will signal the thermal cut-off switch to stop the charging process prematurely, and the battery will not get a full charge. • Recharge batteries only when they are near to fully discharged. A discharged battery can be detected by a sharp drop in speed or power, or by a reduction in the number of power indicators. • Remove your batteries from equipment that will be stored for any length of time because the battery terminals may leak, corrode and ruin the equipment. DON’T: • Return fully charged battery to the charger for an “extra boost”. This will overcharge the cells and significantly shorten their life- span. • Leave your cellular phone, radio, etc. in the charger when not charging. don’t use the charger as a stand) Continuous charging will shorten battery life. • Mix different kinds of batteries in the same piece of equipment or use rechargeable batteries with common disposable batteries. It may ruin the equipment, shorten the life of the batteries and may even cause an explosion. • Use a new rechargeable battery with an old one since it will re- duce the life-span of the new bat- tery. • Leave the battery in the equipment after it has been fully dis- charged. Some information in this factsheet was adapted from the website of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) located at www.rbrs.org. Recycling used rechargeable batteries makes good environmental sense. However, by using, storing, and recharging your batteries in the proper way, you will increase their life-span, conserve en- ergy and resources and save yourself some money. Utilize the tips below to increase the life of your rechargeable batteries.