Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Battery Recycling Program: An Update

Since its inception in 2018, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s battery recycling program at the Frick Environmental Center has collected and safely recycled more than 1,900 pounds of batteries!

Thanks to those who conscientiously collect and deliver used batteries, and the staff, interns and volunteers who carefully prepare each battery for recycling, together we have safely diverted 1,926 pounds of batteries from the landfill.

Why is it important to recycle batteries? According to an April 2019 Consumer Reports article by Thomas Germain, “most batteries—regardless of type—contain toxic chemicals. Think cadmium, lead, lithium, or sulfuric acid. If your old batteries end up in a landfill, pollutants like these can leak out into the environment and contaminate groundwater, damage fragile ecosystems, and even make their way into the food chain. If batteries aren’t disposed of properly, there’s also a possibility they could short circuit, overheat, and cause a fire.”

To recycle your old batteries free of charge, bring them to the Frick Environmental Center and deposit them in the blue collection tubes inside the main entrance.  Or, visit the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works Electronic and Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Program for more information about safely recycling batteries and other waste.

References

Germain, T. (2019, April 20). Yes, You Need to Recycle Your Old Batteries. Retrieved November 6, 2019, from https://www.consumerreports.org/recycling/recycle-old-batteries/.

Written by Beth Seibel, MBA
Beth is a communications and marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience putting plans and strategies in place to grab eyeballs and grow businesses. She has a passion for sustainability, nature, and all animals and is searching for her next professional role. Please visit her LinkedIn profile to learn more.