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If you’re one of the many with a drawer of dead batteries gathering dust, you’ve probably wondered whether it’s safe—or even legal—to throw them away. This question recently sparked a lively debate with my coworkers over Slack, with everyone chiming in on their unique storage locations and what to do with all those alkaline AAs and AAAs we just can’t seem to get rid of. To quote Bob’s Burgers:
Tina: Why do we have a bag of dead batteries?
Gene: ’Cause Mom says there’s a special way to dispose of them but she never found out what it was and if we’re being honest, I don’t think she ever will.
Turns out, Linda Belcher is not alone. Disposal practices for batteries vary widely, and with regulations differing by state, the solution isn’t as straightforward as we’d like. Here’s what the EPA, state authorities, and a bit of compliance insight reveal about the fate of those battery hoards.
The EPA permits throwing away single-use alkaline batteries in regular household trash “in most communities.” Why? Because modern alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury and are classified as “non-hazardous” waste under RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act). However, the EPA still prefers recycling, noting that, over time, even small amounts of metals can leach from alkaline batteries into the environment.
For the compliance-minded, it’s worth noting that while alkaline batteries aren’t regulated as hazardous waste at the federal level, certain states or companies may manage them as Universal Waste or recycle them voluntarily. Alkaline batteries are not assigned a hazard class under the DOT’s hazardous materials regulations, as they generally fall under non-hazardous classifications. However, because they contain potassium hydroxide, a corrosive electrolyte, they can cause mild leaching concerns in landfills over time.
A quick look at Call2Recycle’s state-by-state guide shows just how widely state regulations can vary. While the EPA gives the green light in many areas, several states classify alkaline batteries differently and regulate their disposal accordingly:
For states without strict recycling mandates, alkaline batteries may still be voluntarily collected and recycled by companies or local governments, given the mild corrosive risk they pose over time.
Understanding sentiment in the modern internet age, for better or worse, would be incomplete without consulting reddit, where opinions range from, “It’s fine, they’re no more hazardous than a rusted nail,” to, “They’ll definitely poison the ground.” Some users mentioned that even stores like Best Buy and Home Depot, which used to take all types of batteries, have become pickier about accepting alkaline batteries. A former Best Buy employee shared, “People would drop off alkaline batteries, but our manager just threw them in the trash.” Others say they’ve taken the DIY recycling route and save their dead batteries for annual drop-off days or local collection events. One Redditor even shared a pro tip: If you’re tossing them, tape over the ends to prevent any chance of sparking—especially if there are other battery types mixed in there.
Consensus is not a commonality of the internet but Redditors on both sides of the debate seem to agree: yes, many states allow alkaline batteries in the trash, but it doesn’t necessarily make it ideal.
In short, while you can toss alkaline batteries in many places, the best practice, especially if you work in compliance, is to aim for recycling whenever possible. Here’s a quick rundown:
While alkaline batteries are often “okay” to toss, regulations can make disposal a moving target. If you’re dealing with disposal compliance, consider recycling options as the most sustainable choice—especially in states with more specific regulations. And next time you open that drawer full of dead batteries, just remember Tina Belcher: “There’s a special way to dispose of them—I just don’t know what it is.” But now you’ve got a few more answers.