Whidbey Telecom is helping make battery disposal safer and more accessible for Whidbey Island residents following a successful battery take-back launch event and the installation of a new permanent battery drop-off location in Freeland.
The June 20 community event collected hundreds of pounds of used batteries while raising awareness about the importance of proper disposal to help prevent battery-related fires. The event was a partnership between Whidbey Telecom and the National Waste & Recycling Foundation. It was part of “Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!”, a nationwide campaign seeking to prevent fire and injury to families and emergency responders.
Pressure, heat, and other conditions can create an environment where batteries can ignite in an instant, reaching temperatures of up to 2,000°F. Toxic gasses may also be released and these types of fires can be nearly impossible to put out.
“As a local company, we’re committed to investing in programs that benefit the communities we serve,” said Jessica Cooks, Director of Customer Operations at Whidbey Telecom. “This initiative gives residents a simple way to take action—protecting their households, supporting environmental responsibility, and helping prevent dangerous battery fires before they start.”
A permanent disposal box has been installed in the foyer of the Freeland Customer Service Office, located at 1651 Main Street in Freeland. Instructions onsite ask residents to 1) check the side of box to confirm their batteries are accepted at this location, 2) Safely dispose of the batteries by either taping the terminals of each and/or bagging larger batteries and sealing with clear tape. Both tape and bags are provided.
Acceptable batteries for safe disposal at the Freeland office include:
- Rechargeable Batteries (Up to 11 lbs./Under 300 Watt-hours):
- Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
- Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb)
- Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
- Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
- Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
- Single Use Batteries:
- Lithium Primary
- Alkaline
- Carbon Zinc
- Button and Coin Cell
The following batteries are not accepted at the Freeland Office:
- Damaged or Defective Batteries
- Batteries Part of a Recall
- Wet-Cell Batteries (Car Batteries)
- No Batteries Weighing Over 11 lbs.
- No Batteries Over 300 Watt-Hours (Such as those in electric scooters, electric bikes, outdoor power equipment, etc.)
Please visit the batterynetwork.org/safety for more information on safe disposal of these batteries.
“The response to our battery take-back event showed how much people care about keeping Whidbey Island safe,” said Cooks. “We’re proud to continue that effort by providing a permanent drop-off location where residents can responsibly recycle batteries year-round.”
