By Andy Pasquesi | Updated Aug 30, 2022
DeWalt’s 18 V rechargeable batteries use nickel‑cadmium chemistry, delivering reliable power for professional construction without the need for an extension cord. Over time, their capacity declines, prompting the need for replacements. Improper disposal can release toxic cadmium into the environment, so recycling is essential.
Drop your used battery at a local recycling center that accepts batteries. Use the Drop‑Off Site Locator on the Call2Recycle website to find the nearest facility. Call2Recycle is a not‑for‑profit organization dedicated to collecting and safely recycling used batteries.
Businesses, communities, and public agencies can join a battery‑recycling program through Call2Recycle. They provide prepaid packaging and logistics support, enabling groups to ship used batteries directly to high‑temperature metal reclamation (HTMR) plants. Learn more about becoming a partner.
Once received, the battery enters a thermal oxidizer chamber where all plastics, papers, and gels are vaporized, leaving behind only the steel housing and the nickel‑cadmium plates. The generated vapors are directed to a separate combustion chamber, where they are fully consumed by flames and then filtered to ensure air quality.
In a dedicated cadmium recovery furnace, the cadmium plates are purified. A combination of vaporized carbon and water reduces cadmium ions on the plate surfaces back to metallic cadmium. The resulting product—99.99 % pure cadmium—is pulverized into small shot and sold back to battery manufacturers as a raw material.
