Recycling

Battery Recycling

Nearly three billion batteries are sold annually in the United States, approximately ten batteries per person. It is estimated that the average person throws out eight dry cell batteries each year. Most of them end up in landfills where they can cause fires and injury, release toxic gases or in some way contribute to the contamination of the soil, water and air. Battery recycling is becoming more important as an increasing number of products require the use of batteries to operate, and more dead batteries are being disposed of using unsafe and potentially dangerous methods.

Ninety percent of lead acid car batteries are recycled. Typically, any dealer that sells car batteries will also accept used ones for recycling. Recycling car batteries is mandatory in most states. As a result, new batteries contain sixty to eighty percent recycled lead and plastic.

There are some companies that recycle alkaline and zinc carbon batteries, however it is not necessary. These batteries can be safely disposed of in normal municipal waste. The exception is in California, where non-households are required to dispose of these batteries in accordance with California Universal Waste Rules.

Neither rechargeable batteries (commonly used in cordless power tools, cell phones, laptop computers and digital cameras) nor button cell batteries (the types used in watches and hearing aids) should ever be disposed of in the trash. Hazardous waste collections sites will accept used batteries for recycling. Many municipalities have scheduled collection dates in which residents can deliver hazardous waste for safe disposal.