Every year, countless batteries power our lives, from household gadgets to vehicles. But what happens when they run out of juice? It’s crucial to understand that not all batteries belong in the regular trash or recycling bins. Improper disposal can lead to environmental hazards and safety risks. This guide will inform you about the different types of batteries and how to manage them responsibly, ensuring safe disposal and promoting recycling. Waste batteries can always be recycled or taken to household hazardous waste collection points.
To prevent potential hazards, especially from lithium-ion batteries, always tape the battery terminals and consider placing them in separate plastic bags before disposal. Never discard these batteries in household garbage or standard recycling bins.
Understanding Battery Disposal
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In the United States alone, millions of batteries, both single-use and rechargeable, are purchased and used annually. These batteries come in a variety of chemical compositions, types, and sizes, tailored to power everything from small electronics to large machinery.
- Single-use batteries are typically designed to be removed once they are depleted.
- Rechargeable batteries can be either removable or integrated into the device itself.
The increasing demand for batteries is largely driven by the proliferation of portable electronics, power tools, smart devices, and electric vehicles.
Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
Learn more about these batteries and their proper management.
Batteries are complex devices, manufactured using diverse combinations of chemical elements to meet specific power and performance requirements. Many batteries contain metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, and silver. These materials can pose significant threats to both human health and the environment if they are not properly managed at the end of their life cycle. It’s important to identify battery types by their markings and labels, rather than just their shape or label color.
Certain batteries also contain critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and graphite, as classified by the United States Geological Survey. Critical minerals are essential raw materials for the U.S. economy and national security, facing potential supply disruptions and lacking readily available substitutes. Therefore, recycling and recovering these materials is paramount to ensure their availability for future generations.
Significant infrastructure investments are being made to bolster battery recycling programs across the nation.
The correct disposal method for a battery depends on its type and chemical makeup. Proper management is crucial because some batteries can pose safety and health risks if mishandled. Even batteries that seem fully discharged can still retain enough energy to cause injury or start fires. Always follow safety guidelines and product markings for all battery types, noting that not all batteries are user-removable or serviceable.
Single-Use Battery Types and Disposal
| Type | Uses and Description | Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon | – These are your everyday household batteries, commonly used in devices like alarm clocks, calculators, flashlights, remote controls, radios, toys, and more. – Common sizes include 9V, AA, AAA, C, D, and button cells. | While some recycling companies handle these batteries, it’s best to check with your local waste authority for specific guidance. In many areas, alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can be safely disposed of in your household trash. However, the EPA recommends checking local options for battery recyclers or waste authorities. |
| Button-Cell or Coin | – These small, round batteries historically contained heavy metals like silver, cadmium, or mercury. – Today, most are lithium-based and are found in watches, hearing aids, keyless entry remotes, medical devices, and calculators. | Button-cell batteries are a serious swallowing hazard, especially for young children. Keep them out of reach. Disposal requirements vary by battery chemistry. They can be taken to specialized recyclers, participating retailers offering battery take-back programs, or local hazardous waste collection events. Contact the manufacturer or your local waste authority for more options. Safety precaution: Individually bag each battery or tape the terminals with non-conductive tape like electrical tape. Lithium batteries can spark and cause fires if damaged or if terminals touch. If damaged, contact the manufacturer for handling instructions. EPA advises checking for “lithium” markings and never putting button-cell, coin, or lithium single-use batteries in trash or municipal recycling. Find a recycling location near you. |
| Lithium Single-Use | – These batteries are made with lithium metal, are non-rechargeable, and single-use. – They power devices like cameras, watches, remote controls, handheld games, and smoke detectors. – They can resemble alkaline batteries but may also have unique shapes for specific devices like cameras and calculators. |
Rechargeable Battery Types and Disposal
| Type | Uses and Description | Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) | – Commonly used in cordless power tools, cordless phones, digital and video cameras, two-way radios, and medical equipment. – They can look like standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA) or be shaped into battery packs for specific tools. | For removable batteries: Take them to specialized battery recyclers, participating retailers with take-back programs, or local hazardous waste collection sites. Contact manufacturers or local waste authorities for other options. For non-removable batteries in electronics: Recycle the entire device through certified electronics recyclers, retailers with electronics take-back programs, or local electronics/hazardous waste collection events. Safety precaution: Insulate terminals by bagging each battery separately or using non-conductive tape. Handle damaged batteries with care and protective equipment. For damaged lithium-ion batteries, contact the manufacturer for specific handling advice. EPA recommends checking labels for battery chemistry and never putting rechargeable batteries in trash or municipal recycling. Find a recycling location near you. |
| Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) | – Widely used in cellphones, power tools, laptops, digital cameras, toys, e-cigarettes, appliances, tablets, and e-readers. – Some Li-ion batteries are not easily removable and can become fire hazards if damaged. | |
| Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) | – Previously common in cellphones, cordless power tools, digital cameras, and two-way radios, but less prevalent now. | |
| Nickel-Zinc (Ni-Zn) | – Found in digital cameras, wireless keyboards, and small electronics. | |
| Small-Sealed Lead Acid (Pb) | – Used in mobility scooters, toy cars, emergency lighting, hospital equipment, and backup power systems for phones and computers. |
Automotive Batteries: Powering Your Car and Beyond
Vehicles utilize various battery types for different functions. Automotive starting batteries ignite internal combustion engines, electric vehicle battery packs power the vehicle itself, and smaller batteries operate accessories like remote door locks and computer memory backups. When considering car maintenance tools, remember that proper battery handling and disposal are essential for environmental responsibility.
| Type | Uses and Description | Disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-Acid | – Lead-acid batteries can contain significant amounts of lead (up to 18 pounds) and corrosive sulfuric acid (around one gallon). – Used for engine starting and as power batteries in cars, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, golf carts, ATVs, wheelchairs, and other large vehicles. – Also used in non-automotive applications like sump pump backups and uninterruptible power supplies. | Return them to battery retailers or local hazardous waste collection programs. Safety precaution: Contains sulfuric acid and lead. Follow all battery warnings and instructions. EPA recommends returning lead-acid batteries to retailers or hazardous waste programs and never placing them in trash or municipal recycling. |
| Medium and Large-Scale Li-ion | – Predominantly used in plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles and energy storage systems. – Employed for vehicle propulsion and building energy storage. | Due to their size and complexity, these batteries are typically not consumer-removable. Consult manufacturer instructions and safety warnings. – For vehicles: Contact the car dealership, repair shop, or salvage yard where purchased. – For energy storage: Contact the equipment manufacturer or installer. EPA recommends contacting manufacturers, dealers, or installers for disposal options and never placing them in trash or municipal recycling. |
Federal and State Regulations
Federal Battery Laws
State Battery Recycling Laws
Several states have implemented battery recycling laws for consumer batteries. For a map of state-specific battery laws, visit the Call2Recycle website.
This guide provides essential information for the responsible disposal of various battery types. By understanding these guidelines, you contribute to environmental protection and public safety. Remember to always check local regulations and utilize available recycling programs to ensure batteries are managed correctly.
