Within the last few years, the only option available to the Postal Service was paying for the disposal of IMD scanner batteries (lithium-ion batteries). Currently, the Postal Service recycles these batteries under a contract with Global Investment Recovery that generates revenue at the same time without paying disposal costs. Recycling lithium-ion batteries through this contract will not only avoid approximately $525,000 previously charged in recycling costs, but will generate approximately $23,000 in revenue per year. The Postal Service has more than 350,000 scanning devices being used within the Intelligent Mail Data Acquisition System (IMDAS) with about 492,000 lithium-ion batteries in use or ready to be recycled.
If the battery contains any of the following words, it can be recycled under this contract:
n Lithium-ion.
n Lith-ion.
n Li-ion.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and they can be found in the following items: cell phones, laptops, cordless drills, digital cameras, video cameras, two-way radios, and scanners. (Caution: These items can use other types of batteries, so make certain it is a lithium-ion battery).
Follow these simple steps to recycle any lithium-ion battery:
Step 1: Ensure the batteries are “Lithium-ion” (rechargeable batteries). Batteries must state or show “Lithium-Ion” or the lithium-ion symbol.
Step 2: Place tape over the battery terminals.
Step 3: Put up to three batteries in the box and use paper for packing. Reuse a box if possible.
Step 4: Copy mailing label information (see below) and highlight (in yellow) the rectangle “PACKAGE CONTAINS.....”
Step 5: Place a USPS Label 127, Surface Transportation Only, on the box.
Step 6: Mark all surfaces “PP” to indicate the package is Parcel Post. (Do not use Priority Mail® tape or boxes.)
Make sure your office is recycling lithium-ion batteries to ensure these items are not placed in the trash and are generating revenue. For more information on this program, contact the Office of Sustainability via email at
Sustainability@usps.gov.
