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(Washington, DC) The Department of Public Works announced today its next monthly Household Hazardous Waste/E-Cycling/Personal Document Shredding drop-off is Saturday, February 2, between 8 am and 3 pm at the Ft. Totten Transfer Station. To safely dispose of batteries with lithium or batteries of greater than 9 volts, put clear, masking or electrical tape on the batteries’ terminals or sandwich the batteries between two layers of tape (e.g. flat button cells). These batteries should be placed in a container separate from other batteries that don’t require being taped.
“We are asking residents to tape lithium-based batteries as well as batteries of greater than 9 volts so they don’t cause a fire while being transported to a recycling center,” said DPW Director William O. Howland Jr. “Most commonly used batteries – A, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt – don’t need to be taped unless their packaging identifies them as lithium-based.” Lithium-based batteries are most commonly found in cell phones, digital cameras and laptops. Also, hearing aids, watches and keyless remotes typically use button cells, containing lithium. Similarly, cordless power tools use battery packs that are greater than 9 volts and/or lithium-based.
District residents may bring toxic items, such as pesticides, batteries and cleaning fluids to Ft. Totten, along with computers, televisions and other unwanted electronic equipment. Personal document shredding also is available that day and residents may bring up to five boxes of materials to be shredded. No business or commercial material will be accepted.
To accommodate residents whose religious beliefs prohibit them from using the Saturday drop-off, DPW will accept household hazardous waste and e-cyclables only on the Thursday before the first Saturday of the month (January 31, from 1 pm to 5 pm). While DPW normally offers personal document shredding during the Saturday event, items for shredding cannot be accepted on Thursdays because these documents cannot be protected until the shredding contractor arrives on Saturday.
Directions to Ft. Totten: Travel east on Irving Street, NW, turn left on Michigan Avenue, turn left on John F. McCormack Drive, NE and continue to the end of the street.