Durham Region households have a chance to clear used batteries out of their junk drawers this week, as the Region runs its annual fall curbside battery collection from October 5 to 9.

According to the Region of Durham, residents who receive curbside collection should place household batteries in a clear, sealable plastic bag and set the bag on top of their closed green bin on their regular Green Bin collection day.

Why it matters

Batteries don't belong in the garbage or the blue box. The Region says up to 92 per cent of battery components are recyclable and recoverable, and properly collecting them keeps mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals out of the environment.

The program has a long track record in Durham. Since the first curbside battery collection in November 2012, residents have diverted more than 544 tonnes — about 1.2 million pounds — of household batteries from the waste stream, according to the Region.

Safety tips from the Region

Lithium batteries can ignite if they're crushed in a garbage truck or sorting equipment, which is one reason they should never go in the garbage or blue box.

Residents are advised to store batteries in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight and moisture, since batteries left outdoors or piled in large quantities can overheat. The Region also cautions against mixing alkaline, lithium, NiMH and lead-acid batteries in one bag, as different chemistries can react with each other.

Batteries should be kept in a plastic or cardboard box rather than a metal container, and out of reach of young children. Exposed terminals on lithium, nine-volt and other batteries should be covered on both ends with non-conductive tape such as electrical or duct tape to prevent short circuits and fires.

Damaged lithium batteries need special handling. The Region says residents shouldn't touch leaking or swollen batteries, and should wear gloves and eye protection if they see corrosion or white powder. Those batteries should be isolated in a plastic bag or a cardboard box with sand or kitty litter and taken to a Waste Management Facility.

Missed your pickup?

Household batteries can be dropped off year-round, free of charge, at any of the Region's Waste Management Facilities. A list of locations is available at durham.ca/WMF, and the nearest retail drop-off option can be found at RecycleYourBatteries.ca.

More information about the battery collection program is available at durham.ca/Battery.