Replace traditional batteries with rechargeable batteries.
Every year, billions of alkaline batteries are bought, used, and thrown into landfills where their heavy metals leach into soil and water. Despite this, some people recommend discarding non-rechargeable alkaline batteries in your household trash.
• Buy rechargeable batteries that can be reused. (Virtually any place that sells them accepts them back for recycling.)
• Charge alkaline batteries with a 12-volt Battery Charger from Real Goods.
• Find out if your municipality’s waste management bureau recycles alkaline batteries.
• Recycle nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) and small sealed-lead (Pb) batteries with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.