Household Battery Disposal Guide
Properly Dispose of Batteries
Almost everyone uses and discards batteries into the waste stream. Although waste batteries are a small amount of the solid waste stream, they are a concentrated source of some types of heavy metals. The main constituents of concern for human health and the environment include: cadmium, lead and mercury. Since 1993, domestically produced alkaline and carbon zinc batteries contain no added mercury and are essentially mercury-free. Since early 1995, rechargeable alkaline batteries contain no added mercury and are essentially mercury-free.
Non-Rechargeable (Disposable)
Carbon Zinc |
Many household uses |
* |
Household Garbage |
Alkaline |
Many household uses |
* |
Household Garbage |
Mercuric Oxide (Button) |
Medical equipment |
Mercury |
Recycling Program |
Silver Oxide (Button) |
Calculators, watches, cameras |
Silver |
Recycling Program |
Zinc-air (Button) |
Hearing aids , pagers, cameras |
Mercury |
Recycling Program |
Lithium |
Computers, cameras |
Lithium |
Recycling Program |
Rechargeable (Reusable)
Small Sealed Lead Acid |
Tools, Camcorders |
Lead |
Recycling Program |
Alkaline |
Many household uses |
*** |
Household Garbage |
Nickel - Cadmium |
Smoke alarms, tools, household uses |
Cadmium |
Recycling Program |
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