After using your power tools continuously for several years the batteries are probably more useful as a paper weights than they are at powering your tools. This is of course to be expected from any battery and even with longer running lithium ion technology; they will eventually stop holding a charge as well. At that point you may want to simply pitch the battery in the trash can and be done with it but there is a better option. I have yet to meet anyone who preferred Nickel Cadmium in their drinking water but maybe it’s delicious.

There are 30,000+ locations around the country that will take your batteries and recycle them for free. You are most likely going to need to pick up a new battery anyway so you might as well get it from a dealer who will take the old battery as well. Plus the spokesman is Al Borland from “Home Improvement” how could he steer you wrong? Their website is www.rbrc.org and you can find hundreds of locations in you area by using your zip code on the Find A Drop Box page. This program is also good for cell phones, laptops, cameras, camcorders and all other types of rechargeable batteries. The most common types of batteries are Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead (Pb). Just make sure it has the RBRC recycle seal on the battery somewhere, which all major brands do.   

If you are in the central Ohio area, you can drop your rechargeable batteries off at Ohio Power Tool and of course pick up a wide range of new batteries from Milwaukee, Bosch, Ingersoll Rand, Lincoln Lube, Makita and more.