How Do I Handle My Waste Materials?
Resident Recycling & Composting
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Dry-Cell Batteries
Material Description
Dry cell batteries are household batteries used in power tools, watches, video cameras, calculators, hand-held vacuum cleaners, flashlights, toys, hearing aids, etc. They include alkaline, alkaline rechargeable, lead acid sealed, lithium, metal hydride, mercuric oxide, nickel-cadmium, silver oxide, and zinc-air batteries. They include AAA, AA, C, D, 9v, button, coin and other sizes.
Environmental Impacts
Mercury, lithium, silver cadmium, lead and acids all have the potential to be hazardous wastes. If batteries are burned or landfilled, the heavy metals in them can be released into the environment.
Too Valuable to Waste
Metals such as silver, cadmium, nickel and lead that may be hazardous if released into the environment are also valuable metals that can be recovered for reuse.
Legal Requirements
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has no legal requirements for disposing of household dry-cell batteries. Household waste is excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste identified in chapter NR 605, (Wis. Adm. Code) (PDF, exit DNR). However, if a household waste is managed separately by a non-household member, this exemption no longer applies.
Homeowners should check with their county recycling program to see if there are local restrictions.
Preferred Handling Options: Reduce and Recycle!
Reduce waste at the source by buying rechargeable batteries whenever possible. When your rechargeable batteries come to the end of their life span, they can be recycled. Many national retailers are participating in a non-profit program to recycle rechargeable batteries and have collection boxes in their stores. To find a drop off site, near you, visit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) (exit DNR) or call toll-free 877-2-RECYCLE.
To find a recycler in your area for rechargeable or other batteries:
- Contact your local recycling program to see if they provide for collection. Many county Web sites (exit DNR) may also contain information on recycling.
- Find a licensed battery handler (PDF, 35K) in your county.
Resources
Our Dry Cell Battery (PDF, 52K) publication contains additional information on the types of dry-cell batteries and recycling methods.
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