How to handle Damaged, Defective, and Recalled Batteries
Batteries make our lives more convenient and are considered safe to use, however, under some circumstances you may encounter batteries that look a little off. Such batteries might be swollen, corroded, leaking, or showing burn marks. In other instances, batteries are found to be defective and may be recalled by the manufacturer.
Corroded
Swollen
Burned
Battery damage can come in many forms, including corrosion, swelling, and burn marks.
Some damaged, defective and recalled (DDR) batteries can be hazardous and must be handled carefully. Call2Recycle offers support to help you dispose of them safely.
If you ever encounter DDR batteries:
- DO NOT throw them in the trash. Not only can these batteries contaminate the local environment when they enter landfills, but they may also cause dangerous fire incidents.
- If you are at work, follow your employer’s procedures for handling household hazardous waste (HHW).
- If you are at home, or HHW procedures are unavailable, follow the following steps to safely dispose of them properly.
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMERS
1. Check Battery Chemistry
If you encounter damaged batteries, the first thing to do is check the battery chemistry. While most battery chemistries (e.g., Alkaline, Nickel-Cadmium) showing signs of damage can be recycled safely using the same process as non-damaged batteries, damaged lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous and require special handling. If damaged lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries are shipped without proper protection, they are more likely to cause safety incidents, such as sparks, which can lead to a fire.
If your Damaged / Defective battery is:
- Alkaline
- Nickel Cadmium
- Small Sealed Lead Acid
- Nickel Metal Hydride
- When these battery chemistries show signs of damage, they can be placed in a clear plastic bag and deposited directly into a standard Call2Recycle collection box.
If your Damaged / Defective battery is:
- Lithium Metal
- Lithium Ion
- Damaged lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries must be placed in special DDR containers for disposal, on hand at select Call2Recycle drop-off sites. Proceed to step 2
If you are unable to determine the battery chemistry using the label or original packaging, please contact Call2Recycle Customer Service [email protected] or by phone at 1.888.224.9764 for assistance.
2. Arrange safe temporary storage
Temporarily store your DDR batteries in non-flammable material, such as sand or kitty litter, while you arrange for safe drop-off. Proceed to step 3.
3. Check for recalls
Check Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety information or the manufacturer’s website to see if the battery has been recalled. If it has, follow the instructions they provide. If not, proceed to step 4. Our customer service department can also assist in determining if there is a recall in effect.
4. Arrange Safe Drop-Off
Damaged, defective, or recalled lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in a regular Call2Recycle drop-off box. They must be placed into a specially protected DDR container.
To arrange safe drop-off, find a Call2Recycle drop-off centre that accepts damaged batteries. You can do this by contacting Customer Service at [email protected] or by phone at 1.888.224.9764
Our team will help locate the nearest drop-off location that accepts DDR batteries. Staff at the identified drop-off location will place the battery into a DDR container, for safe and compliant shipment to a recycler.
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTORS
1. Check Battery Chemistry
If you ever encounter damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) batteries, the first thing to do is check the battery chemistry. While most battery chemistries (e.g. Alkaline, Nickel-Cadmium) showing signs of damage can be recycled safely using the same processes as non-DDR batteries, damaged lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous and require special handling.
If these batteries are shipped without proper protection, they are more likely to cause safety incidents, such as sparks, which can lead to a fire.
If your Damaged / Defective battery is:
- Alkaline
- Nickel Cadmium
- Small Sealed Lead Acid
- Nickel Metal Hydride
- When these battery chemistries show signs of damage, they can be placed in a clear plastic bag and deposited directly into a standard Call2Recycle collection box.
If your Damaged / Defective battery is:
- Lithium Metal
- Lithium Ion
- Damaged lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries must be placed in special DDR containers for disposal, on hand at select Call2Recycle drop-off sites. Proceed to step 2
If you are unable to determine the battery chemistry using the label or original packaging, please contact Call2Recycle Customer Service at [email protected] or by phone at 1.888.224.9764
2. Arrange safe temporary storage
Temporarily store your DDR batteries in non-flammable material, such as sand or kitty litter, while you arrange for safe drop-off. Proceed to step 3.
3. Check for recalls
Check Health Canada’s Consumer Product Safety information or the manufacturer’s website to see if the battery has been recalled. If it has, follow the instructions they provide. If not, proceed to step 4. Our customer service department can also assist in determining if there is a recall in effect.
4. Arrange Safe Drop-Off
Place in a Call2Recycle-provided DDR Battery kit – if you do not have a kit, contact customer service as soon as possible.
Place the battery into the specially protected DDR container, as per the linked instructions below, for safe and compliant shipment to a recycler.
