Single use Alkaline and Carbon-Zinc Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V) are wasteful, but not hazardous. Dispose with trash. If your trash goes to Covanta SEMASS, the metal is recovered. All non-alkaline batteries contain hazardous and/or valuable materials. Since it takes about 50 times more energy to make a battery than you get out of it, it is better to use Rechargeable Batteries.
Type of Battery
Where to Find
Hazards
Where to Dispose
Alkaline:
(AA, AAA, AAAA, D, 9-Volt)
Most commonly used batteries
Non-hazardous, hard to recycle. May be disposed in trash.
Call2Recycle provides the collection boxes at many retail and municipal locations for batteries commonly found in cordless power tools, phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and remote control toys:
These events will take spent lithium batteries and button batteries. Seal spent lithium batteries in a dry plastic bag and bring to a hazardous waste collection event.
Your town may take Lithium-Ion batteries, automotive batteries. Check to see if your town takes these and others. Some towns may also have a Call2Recycle Collection Box at its transfer station or recycling center.