Are Alkaline Batteries Toxic? Can you toss them in the Trash?

According to the EPA, it is perfectly acceptable to throw away single use alkaline batteries. They contain manganese, steel and zinc, all of which are naturally occurring metals that pose no threat to the environment. They also do not exhibit any of the criteria that would classify them hazardous by the EPA: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity. Therefore, they are not listed as hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and can be safely disposed of in household trash or general refuse.

In addition, research studies have shown that alkaline batteries in landfills do not pose a significant risk to the environment. While recycling of alkaline batteries does exist, the difficulty of recovering materials from them is cost-prohibitive and few recycling companies accept them. Purchasing rechargeable alkaline batteries are more easily recyclable, thus the greener approach.

Alkaline batteries, also known as non-rechargeable batteries or primary batteries are commonly used around the home, office, clinics and other places as well. They power anything from flashlights and smoke detectors to emergency radios and medical devices.

Before the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (“Battery Act”) was passed in 1996, alkaline batteries were manufactured containing mercury, a chemical considered toxic because and harmful to the environment. Modern-day alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury and are classified as non-toxic or non-hazardous by the EPA.

From the Virginia DEQ:

“Households generate a large number of used alkaline and carbon-zinc (dry cell) batteries each year, powering toys and other electronic items such as radios, flashlights, iPods, etc. These batteries are single-use batteries, and may be disposed of in your household trash”.