easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1202 Practice Question: A customer reports that their laptop battery…
A customer reports that their laptop battery drains quickly and the device gets very hot. They want to know the safest way to dispose of the old battery after replacement. What should you advise?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that storing a battery in a metal container or waiting until it fully discharges makes it safe for regular disposal, but the chemical hazard remains regardless of charge state.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Take the battery to a certified e-waste recycling center.
Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries contain hazardous materials that can leak and cause environmental damage if disposed of improperly. Certified e-waste recycling centers have the specialized equipment and processes to safely extract and recycle these materials, preventing toxic exposure and complying with environmental regulations like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Throw the battery in the regular trash bin.
Why it's wrong here
Throwing a lithium-ion battery into a regular trash bin is strictly prohibited and highly dangerous. These batteries contain flammable electrolytes and heavy metals like cobalt and nickel, which can leach into soil and groundwater in landfills, causing severe environmental contamination. Furthermore, physical damage or internal shorts in a landfill can lead to thermal runaway, resulting in fires that are difficult to extinguish and release toxic fumes.
- ✓
Take the battery to a certified e-waste recycling center.
Why this is correct
Taking a laptop battery to a certified e-waste recycling center is the correct and responsible method for disposal. These specialized facilities employ processes like mechanical separation, hydrometallurgy, or pyrometallurgy to safely dismantle batteries and recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, and copper. This practice not only conserves natural resources and reduces the demand for new mining but also prevents hazardous chemicals from polluting the environment, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
- ✗
Burn the battery in an open area to neutralize it.
Why it's wrong here
Burning a lithium-ion battery in an open area is an extremely hazardous and irresponsible action. When subjected to high heat, the battery's flammable electrolyte can ignite, releasing highly toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and various volatile organic compounds, which pose severe respiratory and health risks. The rapid internal pressure buildup from gas expansion can also cause the battery to violently explode, creating a significant risk of injury or property damage.
- ✗
Store the battery in a metal container until it stops holding a charge.
Why it's wrong here
Storing a faulty or depleted battery in a metal container until it completely stops holding a charge does not constitute proper disposal and can still pose significant risks. While a metal container might offer some physical containment, it does not prevent potential chemical leakage or thermal runaway if the battery is internally damaged or defective. Indefinitely storing hazardous waste, even in a container, delays proper recycling and maintains a fire hazard, failing to comply with environmental safety standards for battery disposal.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.