How to Recycle or Dispose of Single-Use Alkaline Batteries

"Never place batteries of any type in your curbside recycling bin. Batteries can damage recycling equipment and, if lithium batteries are mixed in, cause fires. Always use designated battery collection programs."

"Lead-acid car batteries achieve a remarkable 99% recycling rate because the lead inside is valuable enough to cover collection and processing costs. In fact, recyclers often pay for spent car batteries. Lithium-ion batteries contain increasingly valuable cobalt, nickel, and lithium, making recycling economical."

"Since modern alkaline batteries no longer have mercury, most states allow you to throw them out with regular trash. Some local waste departments even suggest this, as there aren't many recycling options for alkaline batteries right now."

Americans purchase nearly 3 billion dry-cell batteries yearly for household items like remote controls and flashlights. The EPA reports the average person discards about eight batteries annually, mostly standard alkaline types. While modern alkaline batteries lack mercury and are less hazardous than lithium-ion or rechargeable batteries, proper disposal remains important. Most states permit throwing alkaline batteries in regular trash, though California and Vermont prohibit this practice. Batteries should never enter curbside recycling bins as they damage equipment and can cause fires. Alkaline battery recycling is economically challenging compared to lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries because the materials lack sufficient value to justify collection and processing costs.

Read at Earth911