Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection reminds residents to safely dispose of used batteries —especially today, on America Recycles Day. In a push to make recycling safe and efficient, County Executive Marc Elrich emphasized the importance of proper battery disposal, saying, "Batteries are essential to our daily lives, powering everything from cell phones to electric and gas vehicles. However, they must be handled carefully when they reach the end of their useful life. Recycling batteries properly supports our environmental goals and protects our neighborhoods from potential hazards," as reported by the Montgomery County official website.
Montgomery County residents are urged to bring expired batteries to the Shady Grove Transfer Station or other approved recycling facilities, not to curbside recycling bins, where they can pose a fire risk. DEP Director Jon Monger, echoing concerns from the County Executive, emphasized the importance of safe disposal to prevent fires in recycling trucks and processing centers.
Residents can drop off used batteries at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, located at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood. The Department of Environmental Protection recommends a few simple safety steps: tape the terminals of each battery with non-metallic tape, place each battery in a separate plastic bag, and store the bags in a sturdy, labeled container. Additionally, avoid carrying loose batteries with metal objects like coins or keys to prevent accidental discharge.
Highlighting the risks of improper battery disposal, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Chief Corey Smedley conveyed the troubles faced by his teams, "Our fire and rescue teams have responded to numerous incidents stemming from batteries that were thrown away in regular trash or recycling bins," therefore, the urgency for residents to follow safe disposal practices is heightened for the well-being of the entire community, with a focus on safety and environmental consciousness, the DEP offers several options for battery recycling, detailed instructions for different types of batteries, and locations for safe disposal can be found on the Montgomery County DEP website.
