Battery Disposal Guide

If you are having a difficult time finding out what to do with used batteries and where you can take them to be recycled or safely treated and disposed, then you should find a solution here on this page.


When it comes time to replace your batteries, make sure you are disposing of the old batteries properly so no laws are broken. Check with your local solid waste management district (listed under County Government in your phone book) for any outlets for household battery recycling. For disposal of small quantities of batteries, see if your local hardware/auto parts store or battery retailer will accept them for recycling. Most large battery recycling agencies and disposal companies are usually set up to serve industrial or municipal customers with bulk amounts of batteries rather than individuals.

Battery Type Common Name Sizes Usage Examples Disposal Classification Proper Disposal

 Alkaline (maganese)

 Coppertop, Alkaline  AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V  Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls  Non-Hazardous  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
 Button  Alkaline, Lithium, Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, Zinc-Air  Sizes vary  Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, and remote controls  Hazardous Waste   Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
 Carbon Zinc (non-Mercury)  Classic, Heavy Duty, General Purpose, All Purpose, Power Cell  AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V  Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls, transistor radios, and garage door openers  Non-hazardous  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
 Lithium  Lithium, Lithium Ion, Li-Ion  Sizes vary  Laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, camcorders, mp3 players  Hazardous Waste   Recycle
 Nickel-Cadmium (Rechargeable)  Either unlabeled or labeled Ni-Cd  Sizes vary  Camcorders, power tools, two-way radios, cordless phones  Hazardous Waste   Recycle or Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
 Nickel Metal Hydride (Rechargeable)  Either unlabeled or labeled Ni-MH or Ni-Hydride  Sizes Vary  Camcorders, power tools, two-way radios, cordless phones, AA rechargeable batteries  Non-hazardous waste   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
 Sealed Lead Acid  SLA, AGM  2V, 6V, 12V  UPS Back-Up systems, wheel chairs, ATV’s, Jet Skis  Hazardous Waste   Recycle
 Lead Acid (Wet cell)  Automobile Battery  6V, 12V  Automobiles  Hazardous Waste   Recycle. Stores that sell car batteries are required to accept up to 5 car batteries from 1 customer for no charge.
 Mercury Oxide  Mercury Oxide  Mostly button. Sizes vary  Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls  Hazardous Waste   Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site
 Silver Oxide  Silver Oxide  Mostly button. Sizes vary  Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls  Hazardous Waste  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



 

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