Federal Hazardous Waste Regulations for Batteries

Hazardous waste regulations have been put in place for batteries because they include heavy metals as well as corrosive electrolyte solutions inside. Lead, mercury, nickel, lithium, zinc, cadmium, silver and manganese are metals found in batteries. These metals can leak into soil and water when batteries are placed into landfills, and also vaporize into the air or become components of ash when burned. Disposal of batteries in non-residential settings is heavily regulated, but the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made many recommendations for disposing of household batteries.

History

• In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act. This helps rechargeable battery and product manufacturers with collecting and recycling nickel-cadmium batteries as well as some smaller sealed lead-acid batteries. The act also mandates that it should be easy to remove batteries from consumer products, to promote recycling, and that battery labels must list the battery chemistry and recycling symbol, as well as have a phrase that tells the user to recycle or dispose of the battery in the proper way. The act also called for the phase-out of some batteries with mercury.

Lead-Acid Batteries

• The Hazardous Waste Act of 1989 classifies lead-acid batteries as hazardous waste, and dictates that they should not be disposed of in regular garbage. These batteries have sulfuric acid and lead, which are toxic and can poison the human body and animal life. It is possible to recondition lead-acid batteries for further use or recycle the batteries using processes that don’t release toxic compounds into the environment from landfills. Up to 96 percent of the components in these batteries can be recovered.

Other Batteries

• NiCad, silver-oxide, mercury-oxide, lithium, zinc-air, zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries are considered hazardous wastes once they are disposed of. Mercury is common in many of these, while NiCads have 10 percent to 15 percent cadmium in each cell. Some new alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries have mercury levels of 0.025 percent by weight or lower, in which case they are not considered hazardous. Many of the batteries in this category are found in pagers, cameras, computers and cell phones.

Features

• The EPA's Universal Waste Rule applies to hazardous wastes generated by non-residential sources like businesses, schools and government agencies. Their use is so widespread that disposal is difficult to control. Such materials, like batteries and mercury-containing devices, are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Requirements to handle such products have been in place since the early 1980s. Batteries also must be labeled accordingly because universal waste batteries must include phrases like Universal Waste – Battery, Waste Battery or Used Battery.

Prevention/Solution

• Through its Environment, Health and Safety Online website, the EPA suggests that to prevent household battery waste, you should make sure you have batteries before buying more, or use items that work without batteries if possible. Rechargeable batteries are recommended, as well as batteries that have less mercury and heavy metals. Alternatives such as silver-oxide and zinc-air button batteries are replacing mercury-filled products, and replacements are being sought for nickel-cadmium.