In the continuous effort to safeguard St. Johns County, a new initiative is lighting up awareness on the potential dangers of improper lithium battery disposal. The county's social media outreach informed residents about the risks that lithium batteries pose when discarded in regular trash or recycling bins, citing that such actions can lead to fires that jeopardize collection crews, facilities, and the community.
Offering a solution-based approach, the county's post highlighted proper disposal methods, including dropping off lithium batteries at designated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events or facilities and utilizing store 'take-back programs' at retailers such as Home Depot, Staples, and Lowes a move that underscores a corporate commitment to environmental stewardship. Residents were advised to tape battery terminals and keep them in plastic bags or original packaging to prevent any contact that could result in a spark.
For those dealing with compromised batteries—either swollen or damaged—the message was clear: do not charge or handle them further, instead, store them in a non-flammable container, ideally filled with sand or baking soda, as a precautionary measure until they can be safely disposed of at a specialized facility. Information on HHW events, safe battery disposal, and recycling tips can be found on the county's official website, with the "Recycle Coach App" serving as an additional resource.
To learn more about this initiative and find dates for HHW events, interested parties are encouraged to visit recyclestjohns.com and check out the county’s Recycle Coach App for comprehensive guides on the correct disposal of lithium batteries and other hazardous household wastes.
