Batteries And Lightbulbs Now Accepted In Orange

Don’t Toss It—Recycle It!

Residents of Orange now have an easy and convenient way to properly recycle some commonly discarded household items. New drop-off bins for batteries and lightbulbs have been added at the Orange Transfer Station & Recycling Center, expanding the town’s commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment. These clearly marked bins are housed within the Electronics Recycling trailer, to the right of the info booth.

The battery and lightbulb recycling program is for residential use only and builds on Orange’s new partnership with Take 2 Recycling. Take 2 began handling electronics recycling for the town earlier this year, expanding the range of accepted items to make it easier for residents to responsibly dispose of materials that should not go in the trash.

Batteries and lightbulbs are not suitable for regular trash disposal. When sent to landfills, they can release hazardous materials such as mercury, lead and other heavy metals into soil and water. Recycling these items helps recover valuable materials, reduces pollution and supports a more sustainable waste system.

Battery Drop-Off

Residents can simply place household batteries in the designated bin within the electronics recycling trailer. Accepted types include alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), rechargeable, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium (NiCd), and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), button and specialty batteries used in watches, hearing aids and small electronics.

Residents should tape the ends of batteries (especially lithium and rechargeable types) to prevent sparks, and keep batteries separated from other recyclables.

Batteries contain materials that can be safely recovered and reused through recycling, providing a critical alternative to disposal in the waste stream, where harmful toxins can be released into the air, water and soil.

Lightbulb Drop-Off

Residents may place lightbulbs into the appropriate bin in the electronics recycling trailer. Many types of lightbulbs are accepted: LED, incandescent and halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps, fluorescent tubes up to 4 feet long and specialty bulbs.

To avoid breakage, bulbs should be gently placed into the bin. This is important because bulbs may contain small amounts of mercury and therefore must be handled properly to avoid contamination.

The Big Picture of Recycling in Orange

Over the last decade or two, the Orange Recycling Committee, town officials and employees at the Orange Transfer Station & Recycling Center have worked together to continually increase recycling options for residents. The transfer station has recycling for a broad range of materials: plastics, cardboard, glass, textiles, paint, food scraps and more. By adding lightbulbs, batteries and a wider range of electronic devices, Orange continues to make recycling more accessible and comprehensive for residents.

The twice-yearly shredding day event held April 11 was once again a roaring success. Affordable Solutions shredded over 10,000 pounds of documents. Bye Bye Mattress collected a record 80 mattresses and box springs (including 44 mattresses from Camp Cedarcrest). HazWaste Central collected household chemicals from 116 vehicles (including 92 from Orange). Take 2 Recycling collected over 1,000 pounds of electronic items. Orange Community Women collected nearly 2,500 pounds of clothing and household goods (which they sell to Savers as a fundraiser for their charitable work), and Buy Nothing Orange hosted a fun swap meet. The next event will take place on Oct. 24.

The Orange Transfer Station & Recycling Center is open to Orange residents Monday through Saturday. The Orange Recycling Committee’s website at orangerecycles.com provides information about accepted items and other recycling options. Follow the committee at facebook.com/ORCinCT for updates and tips.