(reverent music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the Crosscut KCTS 9 newsroom.

Recycling batteries in Washington State is a complicated process.

Different batteries require different disposal methods and many people don't know how or don't have the resources to dispose of batteries correctly.

Batteries can start fires at waste transfer stations, in landfills, or even in the backs of trucks, putting employees at risk and requiring taxpayer funds to clean up.

As batteries jostle and get compacted, they can explode and ignite, especially those rechargeable batteries that aren't supposed to go in the trash or curbside recycling bins.

Dave Bennett with the Department of Ecology says a good battery stewardship program would standardize battery recycling.

They would ideally accept all battery types so consumers don't need to wonder if they're putting the right one in the right place.

I'm Starla Sampaco.

Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on crosscut.com.

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