Washington, DC
CNN Business
—
There’s a good chance you won’t lose your savings AA batteries correct But you may not be guilty.
There’s no shortage of conflicting messages about what to do with your dead alkaline batteries, including AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 volt. Governments and battery manufacturers lack consistent and clear policies regarding the disposal of alkaline batteries, which power many of our small electrical devices such as remote controls, flashlights, watches and toys. They even differ depending on where you live.
According to Energizer, which sells alkaline batteries, typical alkaline batteries like AAs include steel, zinc, manganese, potassium and graphite. Energy is created when zinc and manganese interact.
Manganese is an essential nutrient, but high levels can cause negative health effects. There are former manganese miners and smelters suffered permanent neurological damage. With any battery, there is a risk of chemicals leaching into soil, surface water, and groundwater. Contaminated water and products can cause diseases such as cancer. However, alkaline batteries are not particularly toxic compared to other types of batteries.
The Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges that batteries can be safely disposed of in the trash in most communities. but he recommends Sending your alkaline batteries such as AA to a battery recycler. This does not mean that you can throw the batteries in the regular trash.
There is one big exception to this California, classifying these batteries as hazardous waste. State he says they are dangerous because of the metals, toxic and corrosive materials contained in the batteries. Residents are instructed to take AAs and all batteries to hazardous waste disposal facilities. No other state classifies batteries as hazardous waste. However, some local governments encourage the recycling of AA batteries and have programs to do so.
The District of Columbia says residents to dispose of AA batteries at designated recycling locations, but not at their premises recycling bins. Seattle residents encouraged Dispose of AA batteries to hazardous waste facilities.
“Throwing a handful of batteries into the trash might not seem like a big deal, it adds up: About 180,000 tons of batteries are thrown away in the U.S. every year,” the city warns.
other places like Waiver of Chicago pick up alkaline batteries at recycling facilities.
Large metropolitan areas that are several hours apart can have dramatically different policies. AustinTexas warns that batteries should never be disposed of in landfills or curbside trash cans. Houston, Texas, says it’s not OK to throw batteries in the trash. Add retailers like Home Depot say you can cough up alkaline batteries with regular trash.
Many places that require AA batteries to be thrown in the trash say it’s okay because they don’t contain mercury. Act of 1996. (It was Mercury before in batteries to prevent corrosion.) Act of 1996 also led to the creation Call 2 Recycleis a non-profit organization originally created by battery manufacturers to offer battery recycling options to consumers.
It’s also unclear what to do with your batteries if you go to the manufacturers. Duracell encourages customers to check local and state regulations as well as recycling options.
Amazon sells AA batteries under its Basics product line, which features a container icon with a large X on it, which looks like a trash can or recycling bin.
According to Amazon spokeswoman Betsy Harden, a crossed-out product should be disposed of separately from household waste and typical recycling bins.
Harden added that Amazon recommends following EPA and local regulations.
