Home Battery Basics

Home Battery Basics

by Cathy Donohue

About 3 billion household batteries are used and discarded in the U.S. each year, creating more than 125,000 tons of battery garbage.

You can reduce the amount of battery waste you generate by avoiding battery-required items when possible, and investing in rechargeable batteries. But once you're done with those batteries--whether they're regular batteries or rechargeables--disposing of them properly is essential.

Household batteries may contain heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Improper disposal may provide a means for these heavy metals to be released into the air, groundwater, lakes, and streams via landfill runoff and incineration.

Although essential, proper battery disposal can also be confusing. The District often receives calls from folks who have been storing old batteries for years, not knowing where to take them or how to dispose of them properly. The following information should help.

Alkaline, Manganese, Carbon-zinc, and Zinc-air

  • Used for: flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls, garage door openers, transistor radios
  • Sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, and some in 6V, 9V
  • Proper Disposal: Place in trash. Spent rechargeable alkaline batteries can also be disposed with household trash. Please note: Alkaline batteries manufactured before 1996 may contain higher levels of mercury; please bring them to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Button

Lithium

  • Used for: cameras, calculators, computer memory back-up, sneakers
  • Sizes: 3V, 6V, 3V button; usually has "lithium" label on the battery.
  • Proper Disposal: Bring to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Call District for schedule or see Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd or Ni-Cad) Rechargeable and Lithium Ion Rechargeable

  • Used for: flashlights, toys, cell phones, power tools, computer packs
  • Sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V
  • Proper Disposal: Both batteries contain metals and are hazardous wastes. Recycle for free at the Barre Town, Hardwick, Bradford, Cabot, Calais, Chelsea, Tunbridge, and Northfield depots. Or, dispose of safely at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Nickel Metal Hydride (NI-MH) Rechargeable

  • Used for: cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders
  • Proper Disposal: Recycle for free at the Barre Town, Cabot, Calais, Chelsea, Hardwick, Bradford, Tunbridge, and Northfield depots. Please note: Battery must be 2 lbs. or smaller for collection boxes. If larger than 2 lbs., call the District for assistance. Or, dispose of safely at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Small Sealed Lead Acid (SLA Rechargeable) and Lead Acid Car Batteries

  • Used for: video cameras, power tools, metal detectors, cameras; large batteries for automobiles.
  • Sizes: Multiples of 2 volts — 2V, 6V, 12V; and large car batteries
  • Proper Disposal: Lead acid batteries are hazardous. Recycle small (less than 2 lbs.) sealed lead acid batteries for free at the Barre Town, Cabot, Calais, Chelsea, Hardwick, Bradford, Tunbridge, and Northfield depots. Or, dispose of safely at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection
  • Lead acid car batteries: Many auto repair shops, auto parts stores, and metal salvage yards will accept automotive batteries for recycling. Please contact them directly.

The rechargeable batteries accepted for recycling at District depots — Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Lithium Ion, and SLA — are also accepted at the District office at 137 Barre Street, Montpelier, during regular office hours. Please note the 2 lb limit for Small Sealed Lead Acid batteries. Call the District at 802-229-9383 for further assistance.