Did you know that if you gathered all the batteries that are thrown away each year, you could fill 600 large school buses? Every year, nearly 3 billion batteries are thrown away by households across the country. Many of these batteries can and should be recycled! ¹

Laptops, walkmans, toys, cell phones, calculators — these are just some of the things that need batteries to function in our daily lives. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased annually in the United States. Batteries are a unique product comprised of heavy metals and other elements that make things “portable.”

Some of these toxic heavy metals include nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid, which can threaten our environment if not properly discarded. These batteries, because of the materials of which they are made, may or may not be considered hazardous waste in different states. So you should always check with your local government health, solid waste or recycling department before you consider their disposal. Most importantly, there are recycling programs in place for all of these materials so batteries should be recycled when ever possible and never thrown in the trash.

If not disposed of properly, there are many ways in which batteries can harm the environment:

• If batteries are burned and the metals vaporize into the air, they can pollute lakes and streams.
• Batteries contribute to heavy metals that potentially may leach from solid waste landfills.
• Batteries can expose the environment and water to lead and acid.
• Batteries contain strong corrosive acids.
• Batteries can cause burns or danger to eyes and skin.

Each year, Americans throw out almost 180,000 tons of batteries. About 14,000 of those tons are rechargeable batteries; the rest are single-use. Fortunately, a lot of rechargeable batteries can be used to power the same products in which we typically use single-use batteries. If we start replacing those one-use batteries with rechargeables, we are not only saving money, but ensuring that less batteries end up in the landfills as well. Though rechargeables are not exempt from needing to be recycled as they often contain toxic chemicals as well.

Each battery has a different chemical makeup, and therefore, there are different ways of properly disposing of them. In many cities, there are retailers that will recycle most types of batteries; and if the battery is not recyclable, they will get rid of it safely.

Types and Uses of Household Batteries

Primary, One-use Batteries

Alkaline Batteries

This type of battery is one of the better choices for consumers. The batteries last longer, perform better at high and low temperatures and have a longer storage life. Alkaline batteries can be stored at room temperature for two years and retain 90 percent of their original capacities. They used to be more expensive than carbon-zinc and zinc-chloride batteries, but because of the increased manufacturing, these batteries are now comparably priced and outperform those other batteries.

 

According to the EPA, potassium hydroxide, a strong alkali, is contained within the cells of alkaline batteries. The potassium hydroxide can leak out of the battery cell if alkaline batteries are damaged or mishandled, causing severe chemical burns if the substance comes into contact with your skin or eyes.

• Standard Alkaline – typically used in low to moderate-drain devices like scanners and remote controls.
• Premium Alkaline – typically used in high drain devices such as digital cameras and CD players.

Some batteries such as the alkaline battery have had about a 97 percent mercury reduction in the product. Mercury reduction in batteries began in 1984 and continues today. Newer alkaline batteries may contain about one-tenth the amount of mercury previously contained in the typical alkaline battery. Some alkaline batteries have zero-added mercury, and several mercury-free, heavy-duty, carbon-zinc (or zinc-carbon) batteries are on the market.

 

Because of the mercury reduction, some landfill bans of alkaline batteries and recycling programs taking them have ceased. When disposing of household alkaline batteries, it is best to check with your local and State Recycling or Household Hazardous Waste Coordinators concerning the specifics of your program.

 

Carbon-Zinc Batteries

Carbon zincs have been almost entirely replaced by alkaline batteries. They don’t do well in extreme temperatures; excessive heat drives out the moisture from the chemical mix in the cell and drastically low temperatures decrease the life of the battery.

 

These batteries are most commonly used in flashlights and products with intermittent use. They are inexpensive and therefore a popular choice among manufacturers that sell products with batteries included. Many reclamation companies will process these batteries, so check with your local recycling services before you dispose of these with the rest of your waste.

 

Lithium Manganese Batteries

This type of battery is most often found as a button cell or cylindrical. Lithium manganese batteries have a much better storage life than most batteries and can be stored for several years.Temperatures have little effect on the operating capabilities of these batteries; they also work very well in low temperatures, so they are used a lot in outdoor devices, such as wireless weather devices.

 

The button cell form of lithium manganeses can be found in watches and pacemakers and most products with a slim profile. Products with other varieties of lithium manganese batteries include heavy-use flashlights, handheld video games, shavers and electric toothbrushes. One of the recycling processes currently available for lithium-containing batteries involves recovering the lithium in the battery and selling it back to battery manufacturers.

 

Zinc Chloride Batteries

These batteries are slowly being replaced with alkaline batteries, as well. They don’t have long lives, and they don’t hold up well in high temperatures. They are less likely to leak and perform better at low temperatures than carbon-zinc batteries, however. They were considerably cheaper than alkalines and therefore preferred over alkaline batteries, but now the prices are comparable, so they are becoming less popular. Radio Shack has completely discontinued selling these batteries. Products that can use these batteries include motor driven toys and calculators. The zinc from these batteries can be reprocessed, so look into your local recycling options.

 

Zinc Air Batteries

Very similar to other button cell batteries (batteries that are small, round and thin-shaped like buttons) except for that unlike the self-containing button cells, zinc airs need oxygen from an external atmosphere in order to operate, eliminating the need for internal, often toxic, material. Prior to use, however, zinc-air batteries must not be exposed to outside air or they will self-discharge. Without this exposure, though, they have a very long shelf life. There are a number of different recycling methods in which the metal content (zinc) of these batteries, as well as carbon-zinc and alkaline batteries, can be reprocessed.

 

Silver Oxide Batteries

Silver oxide (silver-zinc) batteries are round and come in two types: sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxides last about two to three years and are recommended for analog digital watches without backlights, while potassium hydroxides are a better option for LCD watches with backlights. Silver is expensive, but these batteries are available in small sizes where the amount of silver used is so small it does not affect the price or in larger sizes where the superior performance of the battery outweighs the cost.

 

In addition to watches, silver oxide batteries are also found in hearing aids, calculators and pagers. These batteries contain mercury, so they are hazardous and should not be sent to a landfill. The recycling/disposal process of these batteries involves shredding the batteries, neutralizing the electrolytes and recovering the heavy metals.

 

Mercuric Oxide Batteries

Mercury-containing batteries were banned in the U.S. with the passing of the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act in 1996. It is because of this act that batteries are labeled with disposal information, such as, “Battery must be recycled.” This information is provided to help consumers when they dispose of batteries.

 

Several other countries have also banned the manufacturing of batteries that contain mercury. There may still be some around, but the shelf life is 10 years, so it is not likely. Mercuric batteries were used in a lot of electronic cameras and photography equipment, but have since been replaced with other batteries like zinc-air and silver-oxide. Check with your local recycling/disposal program about safely disposing of mercury.

Secondary, Rechargeable Batteries

Nickel-Cadmium Batteries (NiCd)

The nickel cadmium battery was the first rechargeable battery that was reasonably priced and available in the standard cylindrical sizes (AA, AAA, etc.). These batteries come in two types: vented cells and hermetically sealed cells. Vented cells must be positioned so they can vent properly and also require water for maintenance. They are commonly used in commercial and military applications. Hermetically sealed batteries, however, do not require any maintenance and they do not need to be specially positioned.

 

These batteries are used in low- to moderate-discharge devices such as scanners and portable radios. Since these batteries contain cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, they require special disposal. In the United States, there is a fee built into the price for nickel cadmium batteries which includes proper disposal of the batteries at the end of their lifetimes. All NiCd batteries are identified by the EPA as hazardous waste and must be recycled. The recycling process recovers cadmium and iron-nickel for steel production.

 

Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH)

The main difference between this battery and the NiCd battery is the metal hydride used instead of the cadmium. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are also available in the standard cylindrical sizes. These batteries also have two to three times the capacity of a nickel cadmium, and the memory effect is not as significant. Memory effect is when a battery’s maximum energy capacity gradually decreases as a result of being recharged before the battery has completely discharged.

 

Nickel-metal hydride batteries are commonly used in high-discharge devices like portable power tools, digital cameras and laptops. They are considered non-hazardous waste, but do contain elements that can be recycled. The individual materials of the batteries are mechanically separated, and a high nickel content is produced and used in the manufacture of stainless steel.

 

Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Ion Polymer Batteries

These batteries only come in rectangular or cylindrical shapes. There is no issue of a memory effect with these batteries, meaning they can be recharged before they are completely discharged without affecting the energy capacity. They are smaller, lighter and provide more energy than nickel cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries.

 

Lithium batteries are most often used in cell phones and mobile computing devices. They should not be stored in hot cars over the summer because when they reach high temperatures, they can easily ignite or explode. Lithium-ion batteries can also explode if damaged, so do not mess with the casing of the batteries. It is highly advised that when storing these batteries for recycling you tape the terminals. These batteries are recyclable, and the metal content of these batteries can be recovered in the recycling process.

 

Lead Acid Batteries (Automotive & Sealed Lead-Based)

Lead acid batteries are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. They should never be fully discharged because this will completely kill the battery. Hopefully, a battery will be created that can replace the lead acid battery because there are environmental concerns about improper disposal of these batteries, which are most frequently used in automobiles.

 

Sealed lead batteries should be recycled, as they contain hazardous materials and elements that can be reused. Over 97 percent of all battery lead between 1997 and 2001 was recycled, however, making lead acid battery recycling one of the most successful recycling programs in the world.²

Recycle your batteries! Find a recycling center near you!

• Call2Recycle – Recycle rechargeable batteries and cell phones! Find a drop off location near you at Call2Recycle
• Earth911 – Find a recycling or re-use center
• The Big Green Box – Recycle any battery or portable device with The Big Green Box
• Battery Solutions – We recycle all battery types, anywhere in the U.S

Learn More!

• Are Rechargeable Batteries Worth It? Which Type is Best?
• Battery Recycling — Why, Which, How, and Where
• Battery Myths vs. Battery Facts
• Greenbatteries – find up-to-date information on rechargeable batteries and battery chargers, suggestions for selecting the right batteries and the Greenbatteries Store offers great prices on rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, battery cases and holders.

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