Everyone uses some sort of battery power. Where in a flashlight or radio or your automobile, there are specific recycling options for both alkaline and rechargeable batteries.
Car batteries are the type of recyclable battery most people are accustomed to. These very often contain a mixture of lead and acid which can be very dangerous if not handled correctly. Most municipalities require any store that sells batteries to take the old batteries back. This allows for a more centralized handling of these batteries which are recycled at over a 90% rate in the mid-’aughts.
Other batteries are more difficult to recycle. Some stores that sell rechargeable and alkaline batteries manage recycling programs. Otherwise, cities and counties may keep informational websites that instruct as to where they can be recycled. In many areas, they are handled as hazardous waste rather than actually being recycled. You may have to collect the batteries yourself and send them into a recycling program yourself in many areas.
