Carleton Place Public Library to serve as battery recycling drop-off site

Residents of Carleton Place now have a new option for safely recycling their household batteries. The Carleton Place Public Library has partnered with national program Call2Recycle to serve as an official battery recycling location.

Under the program, the library will accept a wide range of used household batteries weighing five kilograms or less, including both single-use and rechargeable types, according to a release from the Town of Carleton Place.

Accepted batteries include common alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, 6V and 9V, as well as button and coin cell batteries and lithium primary batteries. Rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, nickel zinc and small sealed lead-acid batteries will also be accepted.

The library stated they will not accept damaged, defective or leaking batteries, batteries that are part of a product recall, wet-cell batteries such as car batteries, batteries weighing more than five kilograms, or batteries from e-mobility devices and vaping products.

Library staff would like to remind residents that some batteries require “terminal protection” before being dropped off to reduce fire risk. This involves covering battery terminals with clear packing tape, duct tape or electrical tape.

Alternatively, single batteries can be placed in a clear plastic bag, sealed, and deposited in the recycling box.

Residents looking for clarification on which batteries require terminal protection can contact library staff directly or visit the library for guidance.