Recycling Household Alkaline Batteries - How and Where to Recycle or Dispose of Batteries Safely

Recycling Household Alkaline Batteries - How and Where to Recycle or Dispose of Batteries Safely

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is "where can I recycle alkaline AAA, AA, C, D or 9 volt batteries?"

The bottom line: Alkaline Consumer Batteries are usually not recycled, at least not for free.

Aside from that, local governments usually instruct consumers to put them in your trash.

You might also like these convenient all-in-one battery recycling collection containers. There good for home or business. They're obvious and clear, no explanation required. It has everything you need, Everything you need to easily and safely recycle batteries: an attractive box, instructions, a roll of tape, required labels, and a D.O.T. Special Permit.
 

Why aren't other companies and agencies recycling alkaline batteries?

1. Economics

Alkaline batteries are a challenge most places to recycle. First, no one actually "recycles" them. If you think you know of a facility that genuinely accepts consumer alkaline batteries from consumers and does truly recycle them, do tell us - we're pretty certain there are none. Used alkaline batteries are pretty worthless, economically speaking. Even Earth911 says "There has been debate about recycling single-use batteries and whether or not it's actually cost effective. Each individual battery contains a small amount of reusable material, including zinc, manganese, and steel."

2. Hazards

Years ago, the mercury that made them hazardous was removed from the manufacturing process, so while we would not recommend eating them, putting them in a fire, or breaking them open... they're pretty innocuous.

The state of NJ says: "Alkaline batteries now fall below Federal and State hazardous waste standards and can be disposed of in the regular trash."

All other states agree (except California); for example, the state of Georgia advises :

Since the mercury content of alkaline batteries has been reduced, they can be safely disposed of in household garbage. They are accepted via IKEA and some hardware and home improvement stores in small quantities.

Ah, California!

But even in California, the mother lode of environmentalism, there's really no recycling of alkaline batteries going on. They're collected, yes, but most likely end up in a landfill. Even more interesting, while the state of California tells you it is illegal to put alkaline batteries in the trash, they don't provide a practical means ofrecycling, saying:

"All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes all batteries of sizes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, and all other batteries, both rechargeable and single use. All batteries must be recycled, or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, a universal waste handler (e.g., storage facility or broker), or an authorized recycling facility."

Where to Recycle or Safely Dispose Batteries in California

Local Solutions

• As noted above: GoRecycle
• Rechargeable Battery and Cell Phone Drop-Off Locator--Find where to recycle used rechargeable batteries from the Call2Recycle Web site.
• Earth911.com--or call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687), a service of Earth 911, to find the nearest recycling center. Includes information about most recyclable household waste, including household hazardous waste collection centers.
• eRecycle.org--Recycle your batteries and electronics.
• Where Can I Recycle My...?--Call 1-800-CLEAN-UP (253-2687) or enter your ZIP code at this Web site to find the nearest recycling center. Includes information about most recyclable household waste, including household hazardous waste collection centers.
• Local Governmental Household Hazardous Waste Agencies--See the Web site for your local governmental household hazardous waste agency for the latest information in your area.

Other Solutions

• The Big Green Box--The Big Green Box is a national program that offers companies, consumers, municipalities, and other generators, a low cost, easy, and flexible way to recycle their batteries and portable electronic devices. Once The Big Green Box is purchased, all shipping, handling, and recycling fees are included. The Big Green Box includes a UN approved, pre-labeled container, pre-paid shipping to and from the recycling facility, and of course, all recycling fees.
• Battery Solutions--Battery recycling solutions for businesses, governmental agencies, and consumers.
• Retriev Technologies Inc.--A company that recycles most types and sizes of batteries including alkaline, Lithium, Mercury, NiCd, Lead and many others.
• Kinsbursky Brothers Inc--A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency permitted battery-recycling facility in California.

Like people are going to drive to some center when they have 2 AA batteries to get rid of. This type of misguided overregulation will lead to more improper disposal. Regulators should seek to make doing the right thing easier and cheaper...not adding burdens!

What do other authorities say about disposing and recycling alkaline consumer batteries?

Earth911 says :

Outside of CA it is legal to throw single-use alkaline batteries in your regular trash however we strongly encourage you to recycle them instead. Many cities and counties will collect single-use batteries during their household hazardous waste collection events.

Duracell says:

Alkaline batteries can be safely disposed of with normal household waste. Never dispose of batteries in fire because they could explode. Due to concerns about mercury in the municipal solid waste stream, we have voluntarily eliminated all of the added mercury from our alkaline batteries since 1993, while maintaining the performance you demand. Our alkaline batteries are composed primarily of common metals-steel, zinc, and manganese-and do not pose a health or environmental risk during normal use or disposal.

Consumer-paid alkaline battery recycling?

If it bothers your conscience to through alkaline batteries in the trash, you can pay to have them legitimately recycled. We know of 2 companies that will do this.

Think Green

This company (see box at right) offers a disposal by mail kit.

And the Think Green From Home Dry Cell Battery Recycling Kit provides a simple solution for household recycling. You can use the recycling box to store 9 volt and smaller used alkaline, carbon-zinc, NiCad, and NiMH batteries. The kit includes a pre-paid return shipping label, so when the box is full, simply seal it and place by your mailbox for postal pickup.

Battery Recycling Kit
Dry Cell Battery Recycling Kit

Catalytic Innovations specializes in recycling Alkaline batteries

This is recycling for a fee; not a free service.  Here's how it works:

• Step 1 -Subscribe to the plan that best fits your needs
• Step 2 - Collect spent batteries with ready-to-ship, attractive collection kit
• Step 3 - Return batteries to our recycling facility and receive new box every 12 months

Their recycling plant is EPA permitted and is currently handling battery recycling for several municipal waste centers in Missouri. You can also find their profile on the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as a Battery Recycler!  They say:

"We have some of the best battery recycling technology in the nation, and we are able to recover over 95% of the materials from each battery! We then create a variety of micronutrient fertilizers with much of the materials, while sending the rest off to other companies to be further processed into new batteries or other products.
Better yet, we have a service called GoRecycle that can ship batteries from any household or business straight to us in Rolla Missouri.
Click for the GoRecycle page "