Batteries contain a range of toxic materials including mercury, silver, nickel, cadmium, and lithium, and are generally regulated as Universal Waste, a category of hazardous waste, by the federal government. Batteries should be collected, recycled, and processed so they don’t leach toxic material into waste sites and landfills, which could eventually reach our drinking water. When in doubt, recycle all types of batteries including:
Lithium
Alkaline
Nickel metal hydride
Nickel cadmium
Zinc carbon
Lead acid