Jefferson National Parks Association is commited to being a good neighbor. In 2008 we launched our battery recycling program and recycled more than 200 pounds of alkaline batteries. In 2009 we recycled almost 700 pounds. We are currently the only organization in the St. Louis area accepting alkaline batteries for recylcing.
Each year in the United States, billions of used batteries are disposed of into solid waste facilities. Household batteries can contain heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, lithium, mercury, nickel, silver and zinc. If improperly disposed of, buried in landfills, or incinerated, these could harm the environment by leaching into surface water or groundwater or escaping into the air and soil. Consumer batteries contribute more mercury and cadmium to municipal solid waste than any other source. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to serious health problems for our environment as well as ourselves.
We partner with Battery Solutions, Inc. in Michigan. The batteries we ship are processed by Battery Solutions, Inc. so that the metals can be reused in new battery production and the zinc in the production of re-bar steel.
While our program is currently being offered without a fee, Jefferson National Parks Association appreciates financial contributions provided by individuals and businesses to help us continue doing good things in our parks and our community. Because we are recognized as a tax-exempt educational organization, your donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
The current requirement from Department of Transportation is that alkaline batteries we accept do NOT have to be taped with clear tape. Please be aware that in March 2009 the Department of Transportation required the taping of alkaline batteries to reduce the possibility of heat due to a short circuit of the battery terminals. This regulation could be reinstated and if so, we will not be able to accept batteries without clear tape on the positive end of the batteries.
We are currently accepting ONLY alkaline batteries which are NOT corroded or leaking at the following collection locations:
Museum Store Under the Gateway Arch The Gateway Arch is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m the day after Labor Day and until Memorial Day (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). The remainder of the year from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Arch is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Museum Shop is located in the Visitor Center on the north side.
We recommend that you plan your battery drop during the morning or evening hours when visitation is typically lighter. We also encourage you to plan your battery drop when you can enjoy one of the events or programs going on at the Gateway Arch. Visit Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to see their schedule of events and programs. Old Courthouse Museum Shop The Old Courthouse is open year-round daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (also closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). The address is 11 N. Fourth Street, St. Louis, MO and the Old Courthouse Museum Shop is located in the east wing. Again, we encourage you to plan your battery drop when you can enjoy one of the events or programs going on at St. Louis's Historic Old Courthouse. Visit Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to see their schedule of events and programs.
Want to keep up with the progress we make and how you are helping keep batteries out of our local landfills? Please sign-up for our monthly enewsletter which includes updates on all of our programs that support our community and our public land partners. Additionally, you will receive free tips on being green, visiting parks, and some scrumptious recipes.
If you are an individual or an organization which would like to do your own battery recycling please contact Battery Solutions, Inc. at 248.446.3001 extension 106 or visit their website. They have irecycle kits for 12 pounds of batteries or handheld electronics which anyone can use as well as equipment for organizations with larger volumes of batteries to recycle.
Help us continue this program as well as others that enhance awareness and appreciation for America's public lands:
