Sorting Batteries (Receiving)

How To Sort Batteries

When the battery box becomes full, it is necessary to sort the batteries and then disperse them to other areas of Free Geek.

Step 1: Gloves

All staff and volunteers who handle batteries should be wearing gloves. This prevents battery acid from leaking onto hands (yuk!).

Step 2: Sort Rechargeable and Non-Rechargeable Batteries

How Do I Know If It's A Rechargeable Battery

Most rechargeable batteries are labeled as such. The most common will be labeled as:

• Ni-Cd
• Ni-MH
• Li-Ion
• LiFePro4
• Lead-Acid

How Do I Know If It's Not A Rechargeable Battery

Non-rechargeable batteries fall into these types:

• Type: Alkaline
  • Identification: Alkaline, Mercury Free or 0% Mercury, Dry
• Type: Lithium
  • Identification: Lithium
• Type: Button cells
  • Identification: little round batteries off of motherboards.

Step 4: Test Alkaline and Lithium Batteries

Use the voltmeter above the tools in Receiving. Take good batteries to the Store in a bag.

Step 5: Take batteries to recycling.

These batteries go to recycling:

• Dead Alkaline Batteries
• Dead Lithium Batteries
• Button cells
• Lead Acid
• Rechargeable Batteries (after having been individually bagged--see step 4.)

Notes

• For more information on batteries, see the Recycling page, Sorted Batteries [[1]].

• Florescent Light Ballasts look like batteries, but are not batteries. Please do not send them to the back with batteries.