Watching our waste: Proper disposal of batteries, bulbs and meds in Somers

SOMERS, N.Y. - Growing up, “Put it in File 13” was a common phrase around my house. My father was a Marine, and if you’re familiar with the saying, you know that once a Marine, always a Marine. For civilians, File 13 is slang for the trash can, a term that dates back to World War II. For me, it means something needs to go, but exactly how remains unclear. Inevitably, I set it aside to deal with later.

These days, my personal File 13 is full of used batteries from remote controls and smoke detectors, a shoebox or two of burnt-out light bulbs, and a vanity drawer overflowing with expired medications. Decades ago, I might have flushed the pills down the toilet, but today I know better. Sort of. All these odds and ends have been filed away around the house until I could figure out exactly how to deal with them. Perhaps you have too?

Fortunately, our community offers several safe, accessible options for disposing of batteries, light bulbs and medications.

BATTERIES

Improperly disposed batteries can cause fires and release harmful chemicals.

Alkaline: Staples in Yorktown Heights accepts them for free as part of its electronics recycling program. Please note that while federal regulations classify modern mercury-free alkaline batteries as safe for regular trash disposal, waste-to-energy facilities recover the melted metals from ash after incineration. Bringing them to Staples is recommended as the most environmentally responsible option to reduce industrial waste.

Rechargeable: Somers Town House (large meeting room), Home Depot (Mohegan Lake), Lowe’s (Yorktown Heights) and Staples all have designated drop boxes. New York State law prohibits throwing them in the trash because of their combustibility.

Button/coin: Home Depot (Mohegan Lake), Lowe’s (Yorktown Heights) and Staples all have designated drop boxes. Due to the likelihood of leftover charge, these batteries pose a chemical fire risk.

LIGHT BULBS

Improper disposal can release mercury and other heavy metals (lead, nickel and arsenic) or cause injury to sanitation workers.

Fluorescent: Bring them to customer service/returns at Lowe’s (Yorktown Heights) or Home Depot (Mohegan Lake).

LED: Currently, e-waste recycling and collection locations are not accepting LED bulbs. Please wrap them and dispose of them in the trash.

Incandescent and halogen: These cannot be recycled due to the difficulty of separating glass from filaments. Wrap them to prevent shattering before placing them in the trash.

MEDICATIONS

Improper disposal can contaminate waterways and groundwater.

Drop-off options:

• Somers Police Department (98 Primrose) maintains a medicine vault inside the front entrance.

• CVS Somers (325 Route 100)

A special note on needles, syringes and sharps: The Paramount at Somers Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (189 Route 100) provides sharps disposal upon request. Please ask to see Housekeeping or the Sharps Coordinator and have your items packaged securely.

Alternatively, Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco (400 E. Main St.) accepts containers seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Simply bring your container to the Emergency Room Security Desk.

For more answers on filing away your household refuse, stay tuned for future updates on clothing and textiles, routine household recycling, communitywide food waste and composting efforts, along with important document and shredded paper disposal — and more — from the Somers Energy and Environment Committee.