These batteries contain regulated amounts of lead and should be recycled. Businesses will often buy back old batteries when a new one is purchased. There are also several businesses in town that will buy old lead-acid batteries. Ni-cad batteries contain regulated amounts of cadmium and should be recycled. If old batteries will not be taken back by the company supplying new ones, then these batteries should be collected and given to EHS for proper disposal.
Recycling is the best option from both an economic and environmental standpoint.
Check with companies to make sure that they will take back old batteries when new ones are bought. If batteries cannot be recycled, make sure they are collected and given to EHS for proper disposal. Sometimes rechargeable batteries are built into a machine, tool or toy. This is one basis for identification of the chemical, which enables EHS to properly dispose or recycle. Call EHS for tags and instruction sheet.