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(it’s the law!) It is now illegal in California to throw household batteries into the trash. The state law, which took effect February 9, 2006, applies to all batteries, both rechargeable and single use: AA, AAA, C cells, D cells, 9-Volt and button batteries. Batteries are considered hazardous because they can corrode and leak toxic materials like alkaline, carbon zinc, lithium and mercuric-oxide into groundwater. Though they are potentially a valuable source of recyclable metal, only rechargeable batteries are commonly recycled by industry. Most single-use batteries end up in landfills. According to a report published by the California Integrated Waste Management Board in 2002, Californians use more than 500 million batteries a year and recycle only 0.55%. Universal waste Hazardous waste regulations designate a category called “universal waste” which includes batteries, fluorescent lamps and tubes, mercury thermostats, computer monitors and various electronic devices including printers, videocassette recorders, telephones, radios and microwave ovens. California identified these products as hazardous wastes several years ago, but households and small businesses were excluded from the crackdown until February 9. Not all universal wastes are subject to the same regulations or disposal requirements but, in general, universal waste may not be discarded in solid waste landfills. The goal is to increase recycling and to reduce the quantity of potentially hazardous materials entering local landfills. Bring batteries and spent fluorescent bulbs and tubes to any
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