How to Dispose of Alkaline Batteries From Wireless Devices

Americans buy nearly 3 billion batteries per year, many of which are used to power the growing market for wireless devices, according to the Environment Health and Safety website. Although mercury was removed from alkaline batteries in 1996, batteries continue to distribute potentially hazardous compounds into municipal dumps. Many municipalities are currently seeking new ways to discard alkaline batteries, including recycling.

Instructions

• 1

  Call your local recycling center for information on available recycling drop-off sites for alkaline batteries. Most municipal recycling centers will now take rechargeable batteries, though there are very few that will take standard alkaline batteries. If your local recycling center will not take alkaline batteries, you may use your household refuse bin.

• 2

  Remove the batteries from your wireless device.

• 3

  Place one or two batteries in household trash. Batteries may be placed in trash only in small quantities. There is a risk of sparking a charge when "spent" batteries are disposed of in large quantities.

• 4

  Keep all batteries, including "spent" batteries, away from fire. Batteries can explode when exposed to high heat sources.