Monroe County ecopark now accepting lithium-ion batteries

Kevin Oklobzija//April 24, 2023//

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A partnership between Monroe County, WM, Li-Cycle and Sunnking will provide a more efficient means of recycling lithium-ion batteries.

The Monroe County/WM ecopark now has no-appointment drop off for the batteries, which can present a fire hazard and also pose environmental issues if damaged or disposed of improperly.

The service is free to county residents. The ecopark, at 10 Avion Drive in Rochester, is open Wednesdays from 1 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a receptacle specifically for lithium-ion batteries.

“With this new recycling program, we can help protect our environment and prevent explosions and fires in our community,” County Executive Adam Bello said. “This new service advances Monroe County’s leadership in innovative recycling by providing residents with safe and responsible ways of disposing and reusing chemicals, batteries and even vape devices.”

Acceptable recyclables include: cellphone, laptop, e-scooter, e-bike and tablet batteries; LCO (cobalt-based) batteries with casing; mixed consumer power pack batteries; and lithium primary batteries.

Sunnking specializes in recycling electronic waste and will oversee logistics of transporting the batteries to Li-Cycle’s Eastman Business Park facility for recovery of valuable materials within the batteries.

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