That is why it is important to collect them separately and send them to an environmentally safe disposal facility.
Not all batteries are the same, and it’s important to know the main types so you can dispose of them properly.
In everyday usage, two main groups are generally distinguished:
- Household or “standard” batteries, which are the most common type used in remote controls, toys, and small appliances (such as AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V).
- Button-cell or coin-cell batteries, which are round and flat, are used in watches, calculators, keys, and some medical or electronic devices (e.g., CR2032 or LR44).
How to Dispose of Batteries at the University
To improve management:
- Please bring only standard batteries and button batteries.
- Bring them loose or in a clear bag.
- Do not dispose of the following here: chargers, cables, cell phones, power banks, or laptop batteries; these belong in the WEEE container.
What happens next?
In Uruguay, batteries are not currently recycled but are disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
One common use is in containment cells designed to prevent soil and groundwater contamination.