Do you really think about your old batteries are useless when you throw out them? Do you have opinions that you may have broken laws if you do? Do you want to know how to recycle or safely treat and dispose for these old batteries? The solutions we recommend are as follows:
Battery Type: Alkaline (non-Mercury)
Common Name(s): Alkaline, Coppertop
Sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V
Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, and remote controls.
Disposal classification: The federal government has classified these batteries as non-hazardous waste.
Proper Disposal: Place in the trash (normal municipal waste). Exceptions: California, which requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules. Also, Minnesota (Hennepin County only) requires these batteries be disposed as a hazardous waste.
Battery Type: Button
Common Name(s): Alkaline, Lithium, Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, Zinc-Air
Sizes: Sizes vary
Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, and remote controls.
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
Battery Type: Carbon Zinc (non-Mercury)
Common Name(s): Classic, Heavy Duty, General Purpose, All Purpose, Power Cell
Sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V
Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls, transistor radios, and garage door openers.
Disposal classification: The federal government has classified these batteries as non-hazardous waste.
Proper Disposal: Place in the trash (normal municipal waste).
Exceptions: California- requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules. Minnesota (Hennepin County only)- requires these batteries be disposed as a hazardous waste.
Battery Type: Lithium
Common Name(s): Lithium, Lithium Ion, Li-Ion
Sizes: Sizes vary
Examples of Use: Laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, camcorders, mp3 players
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Recycled
Battery Type: Nickel-Cadmium (Rechargeable)
Common Name(s): Either unlabeled or labeled Ni-Cd
Sizes: Sizes vary
Examples of Use: Camcorders, power tools, two-way radios, cordless phones
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Recycled or Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
Battery Type: Nickel Metal Hydride (Rechargeable)
Common Name(s): Either unlabeled or labeled Ni-MH or Ni-Hydride
Sizes: Sizes Vary
Examples of Use: Camcorders, power tools, two-way radios, cordless phones, AA rechargeable batteries
Disposal classification: The federal government has classified these batteries as non-hazardous waste.
Proper Disposal: Recycle or place in the trash (normal municipal waste). Exceptions: California- requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules. Minnesota (Hennepin County only)- requires these batteries be disposed as a hazardous waste.
Battery Type: Sealed Lead Acid
Common Name(s):SLA
Sizes: 2V, 6V, 12V
Examples of Use: UPS Back-Up systems, wheel chairs, ATV’s, Jet Skis
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Recycled
Battery Type: Lead Acid (Wet cell)
Common Name(s): Automobile Battery
Sizes: 6V, 12V
Examples of Use: Automobiles
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Recycled. Stores that sell car batteries are required to accept up to 5 car batteries from 1 customer for no charge.
Battery Type: Mercury Oxide
Common Name(s):Mercury Oxide
Sizes: Mostly button. Sizes vary
Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
Battery Type: Silver Oxide
Common Name(s): Silver Oxide
Sizes: Mostly button. Sizes vary
Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls
Disposal classification: Hazardous Waste
Proper Disposal: Consumers are covered by the Household exemption under RCRA which allows for these batteries to be disposed of into the municipal waste stream. Non-Consumers must dispose of these batteries in full compliance with the hazardous waste rules. These batteries are also acceptable for recycling by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s (RBRC) Battery Recycling Program.