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Heavy Metal Batteries

Definition

Batteries containing heavy metals are toxic and must be disposed of through the EHS Hazardous Waste Program. Common types of these batteries include:

  • Nickel/Cadmium – rechargeable equipment such as power tools, vacuum cleaners, cameras, toys, and other appliances.
  • Mercury – although phased out in the United States in 1996, many mercury batteries are still in circulation. Batteries labeled with a “Hg” are mercury containing and must be disposed of through EHS.  Common types of mercury batteries include watches, hearing aids, walkie talkies, and some medical and industrial equipment.
  • Silver oxide – these are button type batteries that are used in medical appliances, pagers, cameras, and watches.

Storage

Intact: Nickel/Cadmium, Mercury, and Silver batteries must be individually sealed in a plastic bag to prevent contact with other batteries or metal.  Battery disposal stations with instructions and plastic baggies are maintained across campus at these locations (link). 

Damaged: Heavy metal batteries that are leaking should be placed in secondary containment.  If you have a damaged heavy metal battery that is overheating, bulging, or breached, CellBlock® fire suppression media and containers are located at all EHS battery disposal stations with instructions on how to use the material.  Immediately contact EHS when a battery is overheating.

MSU Waste Tag Required

No – A MSU Waste Tag is not needed when submitting intact heavy metal batteries via a Hazardous Waste Request or when utilizing the EHS battery disposal stations.

Yes  - A MSU Waste Tag is required for all damaged and leaking heavy metal batteries as they are managed as hazardous waste.

MSU Waste Tags must be directly affixed to the waste container either with string, a twist tie, chain and clipboard, rubber band, or tape.  MSU Waste Tags are provided by EHS and can be requested through an EHS Hazardous Waste Request.

Labeling

Intact

For locations that collect multiple heavy metal batteries prior to disposal with EHS, the container must be labeled “Universal Waste Batteries” and contain the accumulation start date.  The accumulation start date is the first day that you begin filling the container with batteries.  Alternatively, the EHS Hazardous Waste Program provides the following label for Universal Waste, which can be requested through the EHS Safety Portal:

**Insert photo of UW Label with Batteries checked and Accumulation Date highlighted.**

Damaged

A MSU Waste Tag should be filled out and completed when the heavy metal battery is found to be damaged.  The contact information at the top of the MSU Waste Tag must be filled out to identify where the hazardous waste was generated, the container size and type, and who to contact with questions regarding the waste container.

The Contents should be “Damaged Heavy Metal Battery” with the specific heavy metal type identified, and the weight of the battery listed in the Volume column.  Check the poison/toxic and heavy metal hazards at the bottom of the MSU Waste Tag. 

Guidance on how to accurately fill out the MSU Waste Tag can be found in the Waste Section of the EHS website located here.

Submit Hazardous Waste Request

If submitting individual heavy metal batteries for disposal, or when the battery storage container is full or close to the 90-day accumulation limit, submit a Hazardous Waste Request via the EHS Safety Portal as follows:

  • EHS Website: ehs.msu.edu
  • Log in into the Safety Portal through a preferred web browser using your MSU Net ID and EBS Password
  • Select: Hazardous Waste Request
  • Nickel/Cadmium, Mercury, and Silver Oxide batteries are found under the Common Process category

Waste