recycling a degraded rechargeable battery

August 10, 2009 11:23 AM

Laptop battery recycling: no nearby location will accept mine so far because it's degraded and puffed up. What are my options?

I am in Vancouver BC. I have an Electrovaya Powerpad that has been sitting around for a few years, and over time I guess it has degraded and produced hydrogen gas that has inflated the casing.

I've been to all the nearby shops that recycle rechargeable batteries, and understandably they freak out when they see this. What are my options for responsibly disposing of this?

posted by randomstriker to computers & internet (8 comments total)

Your local hazardous waste should take it.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:25 AM on August 10

This guide to recycling computers/parts in Canada may help too? http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/environmentbiz/a/comprecycling1.htm
posted by ninotchka at 12:28 PM on August 10

Sometimes cities or neighborhoods will schedule local hazardous waste pick-up/drop off days. Check with your city (or whoever handles your normal household waste pick-up). Otherwise, you can take it to the hazardous waste landfill.
posted by curie at 12:34 PM on August 10

Prefer non-speculative, definitive answers. Thank you.
posted by randomstriker at 4:18 PM on August 10

Non-speculative, definitive answers require you to track down your local hazardous waste facility and ask them.

-All the ones I've been too accept batteries.
-All the ones I've been to have different rules about what days they accept what stuff.
-All the ones I've been to only accept stuff for free from people who can prove they live in the right county.
-All the ones I've been to have different limits on what quantity they're willing to accept without charging you.
-Some of them have informative websites.
-All of them have provided useful information by telephone.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:02 PM on August 10

This pdf has this blurb on it:

Need safe disposal information?
Contact the Recycling Council of BC at www.rcbc.bc.ca or call 604-RECYCLE

I think I would just call them and ask their advice.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:08 PM on August 10

ruminant, already picked all the low-hanging fruit that you suggested. thanks anyway.
posted by randomstriker at 1:58 AM on August 11

What did the Recycling Council say when you called them?

Have you tried this?

http://www.encorp.ca/cfm/index.cfm?It=939&Id=19&Se=40

It specifically says they accept computers with broken screens, but it may be worth calling them to see if they'll accept your laptop or can refer you somewhere else.

Your could hire an environmental consultant or haz waste contractor to dispose of it for you, but they're generally not cheap and I don't think this would be the best option.
posted by curie at 9:51 AM on August 13 [1 favorite]