Is there a safe way to dispose of batteries?

Lorna Bosnos writes:

The information about plastics is great! But what do we do about batteries?

The Green Guide's Research Editor, Allison Sloan, replies:

It depends on which kind of battery you're looking to dispose of. For regular alkaline batteries, call your local sanitation department to see what the preferred disposal method is. This varies for each community, and may entail taking them to a hazardous waste disposal facility, waiting for the next household hazardous waste pickup day, or simply sealing them in a plastic Ziploc bag and throwing them in the garbage. Most other types of batteries contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and lithium, which classify them as hazardous waste. These should not be thrown out with the garbage.

Fortunately, there's a nationwide recycling program for nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries, as well as for nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and small sealed lead batteries. See the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Coalition's web site, www.rbrc.org, for the nearest drop-off location, or call them at 1-800-8BATTERY. Or to learn the answer to various questions about who to call in your area for household hazardous waste disposal, you can call Earth's 911 national toll-free hotline, 1-800-CLEANUP.

Best wishes,

Allison Sloan

Research Editor, The Green Guide