Batteries contain harmful toxic materials including acid, lead, nickel, lithium, cadmium, alkaline, mercury, and nickel metal hydride. When we throw them in the trash they are eventually taken to a landfill where they decompose into the ground, including our drinking water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each year Americans throw away more than three billion batteries. That’s about 180,000 tons of batteries. More than 86,000 tons of these are single use alkaline batteries.
Earth911 is a handy online tool which has one of North America’s most extensive recycling databases where you can find locations near you that accept and recycle more than 350 products and materials, including single use alkaline batteries.