Batteries removed from remote controls, toys your children no longer use, or spare button batteries tucked in drawers are convenient but, if disposed of improperly, they may silently cause environmental pollution and pose public safety risks. Have you considered the dangers of casually throwing them into the trash?

    The Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) of Nantou County Government warns that waste batteries - especially lithium batteries (including power banks) - should never be mixed with general waste. Residual power or chemicals inside batteries can cause short circuits, fires, or explosions during compression and transport, threatening sanitation workers and public safety. Heavy metals in batteries (mercury, cadmium, lead, etc.) can contaminate soil and water if improperly buried or incinerated, eventually entering the food chain and harming human health. According to the “Waste Disposal Act,” proper sorting and recycling of waste batteries is a citizen’s responsibility; violators may face fines.

    Director-general Yi-shu Li urges, “To mitigate risks and promote sustainable resource use, please practice proper battery recycling. First, remove batteries from waste items; store regular and lithium batteries separately in dry, non-metal containers. For lithium batteries, ensure terminals are insulated with tape for safety. Then, deliver sorted batteries to nearby convenience stores, supermarkets, or collection vehicles.” The Director-general added, “Proper recycling not only prevents potential hazards but also enables the valuable metals contained in waste batteries to be recovered and reused. This is an important action for improving the quality of sustainable living in Nantou. We urge everyone to join in, making proper recycling a part of everyday life.”

Nantou County Government Environmental Protection Bureau cares about you!

Contact Unit: Waste Disposal Site, Environmental Protection Bureau, Nantou County Government

Contact Person: Section Chief Xiang-qi Liu, Tel: 049-2237530 ext. 1501