The City of Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office wants to remind Nelsonville residents how to properly dispose of batteries.

From cell phones and laptops to power tools and children’s toys, batteries are used to power all types of portable devices, and it is important to know how to dispose of batteries properly, whether they are rechargeable AA batteries or disposable alkaline batteries.

Batteries come in two basic types: rechargeable and single-use or disposable ones. Car batteries, rechargeable 9-volt batteries and even tiny cell watch batteries can all have toxic chemicals and heavy metals. It is important to know where and how to dispose of lithium batteries and others properly.

Tip: “Dead” batteries are not completely dead and must be stored and thrown away correctly to prevent fires.

How to Dispose of Rechargeable Batteries

Laptops, tablets, digital cameras, cell phones and cordless power tools all use rechargeable batteries. These batteries are usually lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, nickel-zinc, or small sealed lead batteries. Rechargeable batteries should be recycled. Look for the battery recycling seals on rechargeable batteries.

Tip: Remove batteries from broken cell phones and laptops before you give, throw away or recycle the device.

How to Dispose of Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries are the common household types found in remotes, clocks, flashlights, smoke detectors and other wireless devices. They are usually non-hazardous and can simply be tossed into a regular trash can, except in California. However, since they still have power in them it is best to follow a few precautions before you throw them out:

• Collect used batteries in a container that will not cause a spark such as a cardboard box or plastic tub.
• Prevent any fire risk by taping 9-volt terminals before tossing. 

Tip: When you buy your new batteries, remember to recycle the packaging.

Where to Recycle Batteries

Rechargeable batteries must be recycled but you should try and recycle all batteries. Some batteries like NiCad ones have toxic metals such as cadmium and lead. Recycling makes sure the components of all batteries are handled properly and do not end up in streams and landfills. Here are some options for recycling:

The Athens – Hocking Solid Waste District (AHSWD) operates a free rechargeable battery recycling program.  AHSWD has set up retailers and public agencies as rechargeable battery drop-off locations at no cost to the participant.  Current locations,

Athens County: 

Athens Library – 30 Home St Athens, Ohio 45701 

Nelsonville Library – 95 W. Washington St Nelsonville, Ohio 45764

Wells Library – 5200 Washington Rd Albany, Ohio 45710 

The Plains Library – 14 South Plains Rd, The Plains, Ohio 45780 

Coolville Library – 26401 Main St Coolville, Ohio 45723

Hocking County: 

Hocking County Health Department – 350 St Route 664 N Logan, Ohio 43138

Wal-Mart -12910 St Route 664 S Logan, Ohio 43138 

Savings Hardware – 95 East Main St Logan, Ohio 43138

Laurelville Library – 16240 Maple St Laurelville, Ohio 43135

Some battery manufacturers and recycling facilities have mail-in programs. Before mailing your batteries, be sure to follow postal shipping precautions.

Check with your local auto dealer or battery retail location about recycling lead acid or car batteries.

Knowing how to properly dispose of used batteries is good for the environment.

The City of Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office wants to remind Nelsonville residents that noxious weeds, vines or grasses growing a height of eight (8) inches or higher upon property, within the City of Nelsonville after the first day of April of each year are a public nuisance and that at all times the accumulation and deposition of garbage, refuse, rubbish, special rubbish and litter on public or private lands, dead or dying trees, broken or fallen branches and plants or shrubbery blocking visibility or encumbering access, are obstructing the view of vehicular traffic on public streets, alleys or grounds, are obstructing pedestrian travel on public sidewalks, are obstructing light from a public street lamp, are so dead, decayed or broken as to pose a threat to life or property or where trees or limbs have already fallen constitute a public health and safety hazard and public nuisance or any other vegetation of rank growth including, but not limited to, ivy, poison ivy, Virginia creeper, Japanese knotweed and bamboo.

The penalty for violating section shall be deemed guilty of a minor misdemeanor and fined as provided by Ohio Revised Code §2929.28. Each day’s violation shall constitute a separate offense. Any person initially convicted of a first offense and found guilty of a second and subsequent offense in the same year shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth and escalating degree for each additional offense.   

The Code Enforcement Officer will continue to enforce the requirements of these Code sections. A resident who is given a Notice of Code Violation will have 10 days to comply with the Notice. Failure to comply with the Notice will result in a Civil Citation and a summons to appear in City of Nelsonville Mayor’s Court.

Please contact Becky Barber, Code Enforcement Officer, if you have any questions or concerns. (740 753-1314 or administration@cityofnelsonville.com

The City of Nelsonville will implement a city-wide street sweeping program starting Monday, April 26, 2021. The streets will be swept Monday through Friday of each week. Citizens will be required to use an alternate on street parking spot the day their side of the street is swept. As shown on the attached map, the city is divided into five (5) sections. In each section, even numbered days the South and West sides of streets will be swept, and on odd numbered days North and East sides of streets will be swept. To help in remembering your street sweeping day the street sweeping schedule follows the trash and recycling schedule. As an example, if your trash and recycling is picked up on Monday, then your street will be swept on Tuesday. Residents with questions can call 740-753-1314.

The Nelsonville Green Team is looking for volunteers who are willing and able to help and possibly make a commitment to volunteer once a month for various green up projects around Nelsonville. Volunteers will need to physically able to pull weeds and perform general clean up tasks.

The Nelsonville Green Team’s first project will be on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 10AM. The group will be doing much needed weeding around the Nelsonville Public Square. Persons interested in volunteering will meet on the Public Square at 10AM to organize into work sections. Volunteers need to bring their own gloves and garden tools. We recommend volunteers have their names on any gloves and tools.

The rain date for the Public Square project is Friday, May 7, 2021 at 10AM. Anyone having questions can contact Nan Shafer by Email at Nanniegoat811@hotmail. We look forward to a great turn out.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Nelsonville announces that the 2021 Nelsonville Recreation Youth Baseball and Softball league will follow the Ohio Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club, and Professional Sports COVID-19 guidance from the Ohio Department of Health. All participants and spectators are expected to follow this guidance at all fields and games. A copy of the guidance is available at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Youth-Collegiate-Amateur-Club-Pro-Sports.pdf. We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and dedication to Nelsonville youth.