Proper Battery Collection & Disposal

  Duracell recommends the separate collection of mercury and sealed

  lead acid batteries. We encourage recycling of these battery types

  because they contain sufficient amounts of mercury, cadmium and

  lead to cause concern for the environment if they are not disposed of

  properly. In addition, the metal contents of these battery types can

  be reclaimed safely using existing technology.

  All other batteries, including alkaline batteries (this includes all batteries

 sold by thetapeworks.com and buybattery.com) , can be safely

  disposed of with normal household waste. An environmentally

  beneficial and economically feasible recycling process has not yet

  been developed for alkaline batteries, although Duracell is leading an

  international battery industry effort to develop such a technology.

  It is important to recognize that collecting, transporting and disposing

  of household batteries in a concentrated mass can create safety

  concerns. Discarded batteries are often not completely "dead."

  Concentrating used batteries in a container can bring these "live"

  batteries into electrical contact with one another, creating a safety

  risk. Any collection program must be organized to minimize such

  risk.

  Until battery recycling becomes a reality, disposing of small

  quantities of used household batteries (such as alkaline and zinc

  carbon batteries) with normal waste is far preferable to disposing of

  concentrated quantities.

  You should consult with your local civic leaders regarding recycling

  regulations in your community.

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