How to Dispose of Rechargeable Batteries（充電式電池の出し方）

Incorrect disposal of garbage can cause fires（誤ったごみ出しは火災の発生を招きます）

Rechargeable batteries (used in rechargeable electronic devices and similar products) are sometimes mistakenly thrown away with Plastic Containers and Packaging for Recycling or Burnable Garbage. If they are crushed or damaged during collection or disposal, they can catch fire.

A large fire can force garbage treatment facilities to shut down for an extended period and may also suspend garbage collection services. Restoring these facilities can cost a significant amount of money.

To protect lives and ensure the safe and sustainable treatment of garbage, please always separate your garbage correctly.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Examples of rechargeable batteries:

Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries

How to Dispose of Rechargeable Batteries（充電式電池の出し方）

1. Take Them to the Waste Management Division, a branch office, or a sub-branch office

Rechargeable batteries (mobile batteries, lithium-ion batteries, etc.) are collected by hand delivery to staff members at:

• The Waste Management Division
• Branch Offices
• Sub-Branch Offices

Cover the metal terminals with insulating tape or similar material before taking them to one of the above offices, then speak to a staff member there.

2. Dispose of them as ‘Hazardous Garbage’

Place the batteries in a designated household garbage bag (orange) and dispose of them as Hazardous Garbage.

3. Important notes (electronic devices with non-removable rechargeable batteries)

Electronic devices from which the rechargeable battery cannot be removed cannot be collected at City Office service counters (except for items eligible for the small home appliance recycling program).

Please dispose of them as Hazardous Garbage (recommended) or Non-Burnable Oversized Garbage.

For items accepted under the small home appliance recycling program, please see the following link:

How to dispose of dry cell batteries and button batteries（乾電池・ボタン電池の出し方）

Dry cell batteries and button batteries may be placed in a designated household Garbage bag (orange) and disposed of as Hazardous Garbage, or placed in the collection boxes located at:

• The City Office main entrance
• The Waste Management Division
• Branch offices
• Sub-branch offices

Note: Rechargeable batteries must not be placed in the collection boxes. If you take rechargeable batteries to one of the above locations, do not place them in the box. Please speak directly to a staff member.

Products with non-removable rechargeable batteries should be disposed of as ‘Hazardous Garbage’（充電式電池が取り外せない製品は「有害ごみ」で出してください）

To prevent fires in garbage collection vehicles and garbage processing facilities, products with rechargeable batteries that cannot be removed should be disposed of as Hazardous Garbage.

They may still be disposed of as Non-Burnable Oversized Garbage as before, but to help reduce the risk of fires, we ask for your cooperation in disposing of them as Hazardous Garbage whenever possible.

Examples of electronic devices with built-in rechargeable batteries

Electronic cigarettes, handheld fans, smartphones, tablets, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, game consoles, cordless vacuum cleaners
Products that are recharged before use are highly likely to contain rechargeable batteries.

Examples of smoke and fire incidents（発煙・発火トラブル事例）

Within Higashihiroshima City, fires have occurred during garbage collection and at garbage processing facilities due to spray cans and similar items that were not completely empty. For details, please see the following page:

Inquiries

Waste Management Division  (Haikibutsu-taisaku-ka, 廃棄物対策課): 082-420-0926
Location: 1F Main building