A bunch of individuals stood underneath a cover outdoors the Urbana Volunteer Hearth Division on Saturday, perking up every time a customer arrived.
They got here bearing previous computer systems, cellphones, toothbrushes, drills and — not less than as soon as — a tiny, vibrant pink youngsters’s motorcycle. Every merchandise to be discarded contained a lithium-ion battery.
Saturday’s assortment occasion, hosted by Rotary Golf equipment throughout Frederick County, aimed to lift consciousness about correct battery disposal and provides residents a handy solution to do away with previous units.
Lithium-ion batteries are present in most rechargeable electronics, stated Joe Richardson, one of many occasion’s organizers. In the event that they’re thrown within the rubbish on the finish of their helpful lifespan, they’ll pose a fireplace hazard.
Plus, if batteries aren’t recycled, the dear uncooked supplies required to make them go to waste, he stated.
Along with the Urbana location, drop-off facilities had been arrange Saturday at Triangle Motors in Frederick, the Middletown Municipal Heart and the New Market District Volunteer Hearth and Rescue.
“Folks do not should journey far to search out one thing that is near them,” stated Ashley Waters, president of the Carroll Creek Rotary Membership. She sat outdoors Triangle Motors, sorting by means of the haul towards the top of Saturday’s occasion.
Gadgets had been positioned in fireproof metal drums, so that they could possibly be shipped to Nevada. There, an organization referred to as Redwood Supplies will grind the batteries up, extract 95% of the uncooked supplies — together with glass, plastic, cobalt and lithium — and reuse them.
The method helps mitigate environmental hazards and reduces the necessity for additional mining, Richardson stated.
“The best supply of lithium on the earth just isn’t in some mine,” he stated. “It’s in everybody’s garages and junk drawers.”
College students from Oakdale and Urbana excessive faculties helped promote the occasion on social media and aided in sorting by means of the units on Saturday.
Richardson stated the occasion was the primary of its variety Redwood Supplies organized within the Mid-Atlantic area. He hopes it is not the final.
“We wish this to be replicated,” he stated.
