Ban on trashing rechargeable batteries

Beginning Monday, throwing away potentially harmful rechargeable batteries, like those for cellphones, laptops or power tools, could bring a $50 fine.

A law signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last December required as a first step in June that stores selling rechargeable batteries accept used batteries. Now it will become illegal to knowingly dispose of these batteries in the trash anywhere in the state.

The law imposes a $50 fine for a first violation for disposing of batteries improperly. That increases to $100 for a second violation within 12 months, and to $200 for a third or subsequent violation within 12 months.

Covered under the law are rechargeable batteries weighing less than 25 pounds. The law does not apply to common non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, said a state Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman.

Enforcement of such a law may be difficult, said Hempstead Town spokesman Mike Deery. "It would be impossible to and we're not going to be checking people's rubbish," Deery said.

But Deery and Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said the law will make people think twice about just tossing old batteries in the trash. "With adequate public information, it's something people will just want to do," Esposito said.

Rechargeable batteries can leak cadmium and lead into groundwater if left in landfills, said Carl Smith, president and chief executive of Call2Recycle, a national nonprofit group created by battery manufacturers in 1994 to collect and recycle used batteries dropped off at stores.

In addition, recycling lessens the need to mine for lithium and other materials that cellphone and laptop batteries contain, he said."It's more of a zero-waste issue with those batteries," he said.

Nationally, Smith said, 8 percent to 13 percent of rechargeable batteries are recycled.

At the Huntington Station Radio Shack, store manager Orlando Soto and customers said they supported the new law. The chain has been accepting old rechargeable batteries since 1996. Soto said many customers have wanted to recycle anyway. "They seem happy to be able to do their part," he said."It's like taking out the garbage. You wouldn't mix plastic and bottles with the regular trash."