"Button cell batteries are the small, flat, round batteries found in watches, hearing aids, car key fobs, calculators, and medical devices. Although they are tiny, these batteries contain valuable materials that can be recovered and can harm the environment if not handled or disposed of correctly. The main challenge in recycling button cells is their small size and the difficulty of sorting them."
"Button cell batteries are made with different chemistries, including silver oxide, zinc-air, lithium (CR-type), and the older mercury oxide, which is now mostly banned. Each type has its own recycling challenges: Lithium coin cells (CR series) are the most common type today and are used in watches, key fobs, and small electronics. They contain lithium metal, which can catch fire if it gets wet. These batteries last for years but can cause fires if they are damaged or thrown away incorrectly."
Button cell batteries power watches, hearing aids, car key fobs, calculators, and medical devices. They contain valuable materials such as silver, lithium, zinc, and potassium hydroxide, and historically contained mercury. Small size and mixed, unsorted collection make recovery difficult, leading most to be landfilled or incinerated. Lithium coin cells present fire risks when damaged or exposed to moisture. Silver oxide cells offer steady voltage and contain valuable silver that justifies recycling. Zinc-air cells used in hearing aids activate when exposed to air and are commonly recycled through hearing-aid provider programs. Consumer education and convenient drop-off points are critical to improving collection rates.
Read at Earth911
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