How to deal with items damaged by battery corrosion
June 18, 2019 10:09 PM Subscribe
I am preparing to take some old batteries to the recycling center. Some corrosion from the batteries got on several other items, how to dispose of these? Also, does anyone know of a charity in Berkeley that needs old sheets?
1. I had a box of batteries that got corroded. I have put the batteries in a bag and plan to bring them to the recycling center, but what should I do with the box? It has corrosion on it too.
2. What should I do with the TV remote control that had a battery corrode inside it? It has corrosion on it. How should it be disposed of?
3. I have a garbage bag full of old sheets. These are flat sheets for twin and full sized beds. It looks like thrift stores don't want these, but sometimes animal shelters do? I live in Berkeley, and checked several animal shelters, and none of them need sheets. Does anybody know a place in Berkeley that might want sheets?
Thank you.
1. I had a box of batteries that got corroded. I have put the batteries in a bag and plan to bring them to the recycling center, but what should I do with the box? It has corrosion on it too.
2. What should I do with the TV remote control that had a battery corrode inside it? It has corrosion on it. How should it be disposed of?
3. I have a garbage bag full of old sheets. These are flat sheets for twin and full sized beds. It looks like thrift stores don't want these, but sometimes animal shelters do? I live in Berkeley, and checked several animal shelters, and none of them need sheets. Does anybody know a place in Berkeley that might want sheets?
Thank you.
3. Many charities have nixed used bedding donations due to health concerns, but Goodwill will accept your bed and bath linens.
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:49 PM on June 18, 2019
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:49 PM on June 18, 2019
If you're concerned about residual battery acid, soak the item in a solution of baking soda and water. After an hour or so, the acid will be neutralized, and you can throw out or recycle the item. The used solution can go down the drain, if I'm not mistaken.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:28 AM on June 19, 2019
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:28 AM on June 19, 2019
The corrosion itself is acidic. It can damage clothes if some gets on them. Otherwise, not an issue. An art school might want old sheets for rags and drop cloths. All cotton sheets make excellent rags.
Take a moment to find out where your trash goes. My garbage does to an incinerator that generates electricity. I make an effort to keep my garbage dry, as wet garbage consumes power to burn. Whoever takes your garbage probably has a web site with helpful information.
posted by theora55 at 7:57 AM on June 19, 2019
Take a moment to find out where your trash goes. My garbage does to an incinerator that generates electricity. I make an effort to keep my garbage dry, as wet garbage consumes power to burn. Whoever takes your garbage probably has a web site with helpful information.
posted by theora55 at 7:57 AM on June 19, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks, these are all helpful answers.
posted by Surprised By Bees at 4:19 PM on June 19, 2019
posted by Surprised By Bees at 4:19 PM on June 19, 2019
I have a friend in the East Bay who works with animals. Send me a note here if you would prefer that animals got to use your sheets, and I will contact her for more info. When I was leaving the East Bay she got the bedding that I couldn't donate elsewhere.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:05 PM on June 21, 2019
posted by Bella Donna at 1:05 PM on June 21, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks, I am in fact gathering up all the batteries and so forth for a trip to the disposal site. Bella Donna, I will contact you for information about the sheets.
posted by Surprised By Bees at 3:00 PM on July 3, 2019
posted by Surprised By Bees at 3:00 PM on July 3, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
2. i would put the remote in the electronics recycling bin.
posted by zippy at 10:39 PM on June 18, 2019