A Guide To Recycling Household Batteries For Retailers And Consumers

By Staff -- TWICE, 3/30/2009

Battery Type: Alkaline

Common Name: Coppertop, Alkaline

Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls

Disposal classification: These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste.

Proper Disposal: Place in the trash with normal municipal waste, except in California, which requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules.

Battery Type: Button

Common Name: Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, Lithium, Alkaline, Zinc-Air

Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls

Disposal classification: Hazardous waste

Proper Disposal : Contact your municipality for the nearest Household HazardousWaste Collection Site.

Battery Type: Carbon Zinc

Common Name: “Classic”, Heavy Duty, General Purpose, All Purpose, Power Cell

Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls, transistor radios, garage door openers

Disposal classification: These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste.

Proper Disposal: Place in the trash with normal municipal waste.

Exceptions: California requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules. Also, Minnesota (Hennipen County only) requires these batteries be disposed as a hazardous waste.

Battery Type: Lithium / Lithium Ion

Common Name: Usually has “lithium” label on the battery

Examples of Use: Cameras, calculators, computer memory back-up, tennis shoes

Disposal classification: These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste

Proper Disposal: They can be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php

Battery Type: Nickel-Cadmium (Rechargeable)

Common Name: Either unlabeled or labeled “Ni-Cd”

Examples of Use: Flashlights, toys, cellular phones, power tools, computer packs

Disposal classification: Hazardous waste

Proper Disposal: They can be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php

Battery Type: Nickel Metal Hydride (Rechargeable)

Common Name: Either unlabeled or labeled “Ni-Li” or “Ni-Hydride”

Examples of Use: Flashlights, toys, cellular phones, power tools, computer packs

Disposal classification: non-hazardous waste, except in California, which requires Non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules.

Proper Disposal: Safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream. They can also be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php

Battery Type: Reusable Alkaline Manganese (Rechargeable)

Common Name: Renewal

Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, radios, remote controls

Disposal classification: Non-hazardous waste,

Proper Disposal: Safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream.

Battery Type: Sealed Lead Acid (Rechargeable)

Common Name: “Gel,” VRB, AGM, Cyclone, El Power, Dynasty, Gates, Lithonia, Saft, Yuasa

Examples of Use: Video cameras, power tools, wheelchairs, ATV's, metal detectors, clocks, cameras

Disposal classification: Hazardous waste

Proper Disposal: Contact your municipality for the nearest Household HazardousWaste Collection Site

Battery Type: Silver Oxide

Common Name: Panasonic Silver Oxide

Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls

Disposal classification: hazardous waste

Proper Disposal: Non-consumers must dispose of these batteries in full compliance with the hazardous waste rules. Consumers are covered by the Household exemption under RCRA which allows for these batteries to be disposed of into the municipal waste stream, but hey can be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php