Battery Recycling for Dummies

Batteries. Modern must-haves like iPods, cell phones and digital cameras could not function without ‘em. These tiny, hazardous waste-filled containers have become a necessary evil to run such gadgets, but at what cost to our environment?

More than 15 billion batteries are tossed into landfills every year, releasing heavy metals and toxic substances into our land, air and water. Because of this fact, the state of California now considers all rechargeable and single-use (AAA, AA, C, D, button cell and 9-volt) batteries hazardous waste. As of February 8, 2006, Californians are required to properly dispose of batteries at a recycling center, household hazardous waste disposal facility or a universal waste handler — anywhere but the landfill.

California’s requirements may be stricter than other states, but the toss-it-or-where-to-recycle-it dilemma still faces the eco-conscious consumer. Different battery types call for different recycling measures, so you need to understand what you’re working with:

Alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt) contain the metals zinc and manganese. In California, these must be recycled or disposed of properly. Other states claim they can be discarded in the trash like other waste because they no longer contain mercury, thanks to the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Act in 1996, but they still contain heavy metals.

Companies such as Battery Solutions and Big Green Box recycle all types of batteries, including alkaline, a feat that is rare to find. Both offer a kit for purchase, in which you ship your used batteries to the company. The hazardous materials are then recycled and the plastics and metals are reused.

Cordless phones, cell phones, power tools, etc. use rechargeable batteries that contain hazardous metals (cadmium, nickel and lead). These can be taken to a household hazardous waste collection site (check with your local solid waste agency for the nearest one) or recycling center. You can also unload them at many participating retailers, such as Whole Foods, IKEA, Sears, Target, Walmart, Circuit City and RadioShack, which collect the rechargeable batteries for recycling.

Watches, hearing aids and other small consumer electric devices use button cell batteries that may contain mercury and silver, and can be properly disposed of at a household hazardous waste collection site.

Batteries, or rather our consumption of electronic devices that require them, continue to deplete our rapidly dwindling natural resources, but we do have options:

• Rechargeable batteries conserve more resources than alkaline, which means less batteries wind up in landfills, especially when we remember to recycle them.
• Portable electronic devices that don’t require batteries and run on solar cells are currently under development. We also have the choice of using such products as LED flashlights powered by a capacitor that is recharged by shaking it, leaving no need for batteries.
• Reducing usage of electronic devices that require batteries also saves more resources and keeps more batteries and heavy metals out of landfills — and our environment.