How to Recycle Batteries

Batteries are a real problem for the environment and consumers are wondering how to go green with batteries. Batteries leak heavy metals like lead, nickel and mercury into the soil, and into the air if burned. In fact, batteries are blamed for about 88% of the mercury in the municipal waste stream. And according to the EHSO (Environment, Health and Safety Online), most household battery recycling programs dump the batteries into hazardous waste landfills. So is recycling batteries impossible? No. Recycling some batteries are simple and saves the environment the extra stress.

Button batteries are the small disk shaped batteries that usually are found in watches and hearing aids. Button batteries are typically collected for recycling by jewelers, pharmacies and hearing aid stores so that the mercury-oxide or silver-oxide can be reclaimed.

Automobile type batteries can be recycled and most states have laws that require automobile battery sellers to collect used batteries. The used batteries are then crushed into small pieces. The plastic pieces are recycled into new plastic products. The recycled lead is turned back into batteries or sent elsewhere for other uses.

Unfortunately, regular household batteries such as the batteries powering your kid's toy or flashlights aren't that easy to recycle. While there are some reclaimers that can remove metals from some sizes, it is just too costly to reclaim the household batteries.

However, rechargeable batteries are now being recycled in a joint effort by battery manufacturers. To find a spot near you, go to RBRC and enter your city. If there isn't a center near you, the rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at these collectors: Alltel, Batteries Plus, Best Buy, Black and Decker, Cingular Wireless, Home Depot, Milwaukee Electric Tool, Orchard Supply, Porter Cable Service Center, Radio Shack, Remington Product Company, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Wal-mart.

When it comes to going green with batteries, the best way is to be responsible with their use. Consider using rechargeable batteries instead of disposable. Although the rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals, you will be wasting smaller amounts. Also consider buying toys and other items that don't require batteries like wind up flashlights.

So go green and be responsible for your old batteries.

Information found at Battery Recycling and Disposal Guide for Households, EHSO.