Battery Information

About Alkaline Batteries:

Did you know most everyday use batteries are alkaline[1]?

Older alkaline batteries contained mercury which is harmful to the environment [2]. Mercury was phased out of alkaline batteries as part of the “Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act,” passed in 1996 [2].

To be classified a hazardous waste, a battery must have one of four characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity[2]. The modern alkaline battery (manufactured post Battery Act) is considered non-toxic by the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) and does not exhibit the characteristics necessary to be classified as reactive or ignitable wastes[3]. Modern alkaline batteries do not contain any toxic materials such as mercury or cadmium, as classified under federal E.P.A. guidelines. Alkaline batteries are not considered an RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) regulated hazardous waste [4]. The electrolyte of an alkaline battery does not meet the definition of an aqueous solution or free liquid; therefore, they are not, by definition, a corrosive waste[4].

*Regulations may vary in your municipality or state so please check your local regulations.

About Non-Rechargeable Lithium Primary Batteries:

The non-rechargeable lithium primary manganese dioxide batteries used by obp in ONETRAC LX, ONETRAC LXD and ONETRAC LXS are United States Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) non-hazardous waste, and the brand of batteries used by obp do not contain substances regulated by California’s Proposition 65. While there are no federal regulations for disposal of lithium batteries, individual states or localities can establish their own guidelines for battery disposal and should be contacted for any disposal guidelines that they may have.

FAQ:

What type of batteries are used to power obp light sources?

ONETRAC devices are powered by Alkaline button batteries. ONETRAC LX, ONETRAC LXD and ONETRAC LXS are powered by primary, non-rechargeable lithium primary manganese dioxide batteries.

Do I need to dispose of batteries separately?

ONETRAC may have the batteries removed before disposal via a battery cover at the base of the handle. ONETRAC LX, ONETRAC LXD and ONETRAC LXS must have the batteries removed before disposal. We recommend you check with your facility’s battery disposal policy prior to use.

Can alkaline batteries be incinerated?

Yes. Appropriate disposal technologies include incineration [8].

Can lithium primary batteries be incinerated?

No.

Can batteries be removed without touching them?

ONETRAC, ONETRAC LX, ONETRAC LXD, ONETRAC LXS are designed in such a way that the user can easily remove the batteries without direct touch.

Additional Information Regarding Medical Waste:

The Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 defines medical waste as any solid waste that is generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals. This includes [9]:

Items that are freely dripping liquid or semi-liquid blood or “potentially infectious materials” or could readily release infectious materials if compressed
Items containing dried blood or “potentially infectious materials” that could release flakes if compressed or otherwise handled
Human blood and blood products, including serum, plasma, and blood components
Hemodialysis waste of all items that were in contact with the patient’s blood (tubing, filters, towels, gloves, aprons, lab coats) and any other contaminated disposable equipment)
Human or animal isolation wastes (blood, excretion, exudates, secretions, and items contaminated with these) from humans or animals that have been isolated to protect others from communicable diseases
Sharps waste
Surgery or autopsy tissue, organs, or body parts (eg, adenoids, appendix, tonsils, amputated digits, hands, feet, arms or legs), also known as pathological wastes
Surgical and autopsy wastes (eg, soiled dressings, sponges, drapes, lavage tubes, drainage sets, underpads, and surgical gloves) that were in contact with infectious agents
Cultures or stocks of any virus, bacterium or other organism including discarded live attenuated vaccines and the items used to transfer, inoculate or mix cultures
Tissues, organs, body parts, bedding, carcasses, and body fluids from experimental animals that were exposed to infectious agents
Teeth in dentistry
Laboratory wastes that have been in contact with infectious wastes, including gloves, coats and aprons
Discarded medical equipment and its components that have been in contact with infectious agents
Any other discarded item or waste that an administrator believes poses a threat to human health or the environment
Potentially infectious body fluids including:
- Amniotic fluids
- Blood and its components
- Cerebrospinal and synovial fluid
- Dialysate and dialysis waste
- Pericardial and pleural fluid
- Peritoneal
- Saliva in dental procedures
- Semen
- Vaginal secretions