Dry Batteries

This page contains resources related to NEMA-type dry batteries.

Environmental Management

• Summary Report of Analyses of Mercury from Consumer Batteries in the Waste Stream (March 2011) 
• Potential "Free Riders" in the U.S. Battery Waste Stream (March 11, 2011) 
• Treatment of Batteries Within the Basel Convention 
• Best Practices for Household Battery Collection 
• Button Cell Battery Collection: Why it Does Not Make Sense 
  Some states and local communities have proposed collecting button cell batteries because the batteries contain mercury. This paper will discuss why such collection does not make sense. January 2003.
• Battery Industry Standard Analytical Method 
  This is the agreed on industry standard for analyzing mercury, cadmium and lead in alkaline manganese batteries.
• Household Batteries and the Environment 
  This 24-page brochure is designed to provide answers to frequently asked environmental questions about household batteries including battery contents, legislation and recycling. June 2002.
• Sound Environmental Management of Spent Primary Batteries 
  This five-page document discusses waste management of consumer alkaline and zinc carbon batteries are sold in all popular sizes (AA, AAA, C, D and 9 volt) used to power many different consumer devices, such as flash lights, radios, beepers, cameras, clocks, and toys. November 2001.

Federal Battery Act

• Notice to Retailers: Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act 
  The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act of 1996 bans the sale in the United States of any alkaline-manganese battery (other than a button cell) or any zinc-carbon battery with a mercury content that was intentionally introduced.
• Implementation of the Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act 
  An EPA handbook.
• Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act 
  Public Law 104-142 mandates phasing out the use of mercury in batteries and provides for the efficient and cost-effective collection and recycling or proper disposal of used nickel cadmium batteries, small sealed lead-acid batteries, and certain other batteries.

Ingestion & Safety

• NEMA and National Poison Control Center Letter to Pediatricians on Lithium Battery Ingestion (September 2011) 
• NEMA Manufacturers Letter to Electronics Manufacturers on Lithium Battery Ingestion 
• Have You Swallowed a Button Battery? 
  Information from the National Capital Poison Center on what to do.
• Non-rechargeable Batteries: Do's and Don'ts 
  Information from the IEC about handling dry batteries.

Recycling

• Alkaline and Zinc Carbon Battery Recycling 
  A July 2001 information and status report from NEMA.
• EPA Universal Waste Rule 
  The Environmental Protection Agency's 1995 rule on hazardous waste management and recycling.
• List of Companies Claiming to Collect or Recycle or Treat Used Batteries 
• For additional information, you may want to visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.

Transportation (Lithium Batteries)

• NEMA Comments to U.S. Department of Transportation on Harmonization with ICAO Requirements for Air Shipment of Lithium Batteries (March 2013)
• IATA Guidance Document on 2013 International Rules for Air Shipment of Lithium Batteries
• NEMA Comments on U.S. Department of Transportation Proposed Rule to Harmonize with ICAO Recommendations for Air Shipment of Lithium Batteries (May 2012)
• Summary of 2013 Changes to ICAO Lithium Battery Air Shipment Regulations (March 2012)
• ICAO Letter to Member Governments on Shipment of Lithium Batteries by Air (February 2011)