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

Environmental Management

• Button Cell Battery Collection: Why it Does Not Make Sense  (PDF: 120k)
  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 (PDF: 330k)
  This is the agreed on industry standard for analyzing mercury, cadmium and lead in alkaline manganese batteries. 
           
• Household Batteries and the Environment  (PDF: 306k)
  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 (MS Word: 94k)
  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 (PDF: 124k)
  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 (PDF: 868k)
  An EPA handbook. 

• Mercury Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act (MS Word: 98k)
  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

• Have You Swallowed a Button Battery? (PDF: 46k)
  Information from the National Capital Poison Center on what to do. 
  
• Non-rechargeable Batteries: Do's and Don'ts (PDF: 482 kb)
  Information from the IEC about handling dry batteries.

Recycling

• Alkaline and Zinc Carbon Battery Recycling (MS Word: 56k)
  A July 2001 information and status report from NEMA. 

• EPA Universal Waste Rule (MS Word: 872k)
  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 (MS Word: 91k) 

• For additional information, you may want to visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.

Transportation & Disposal (Lithium Batteries)

• Approval for NEMA Dry Battery Section Members to Transport Prototype Lithium Cells and Batteries (July 2003) (PDF: 180k)
  The Research and Special Programs Office of the US Department of Transportation, acting as the Competent Authority for the United States under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has issued an approval to members of the NEMA Dry Battery Section to transport prototype lithium cells and batteries under specified conditions.

• Lithium and Lithium Ion Battery Industries - Voluntary Air Transportation Communications Program (PDF: 47k)
  NEMA, the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association, and the Battery Association of Japan have launched a program intended to ensure the safe transport of lithium primary and lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries. 

• FAQs: Lithium and Lithium Ion Batteries and Transportation Regulations (MS Word: 31k)
  NEMA and the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association prepared this information to answer common questions regarding the transportation of lithium and lithium ion batteries. 

• Spent Consumer Lithium Batteries and the Environment (MS Word: 24k)
  March 2001: Spent consumer lithium batteries are not hazardous wastes because they are neither toxic nor reactive. Consumers routinely dispose of these batteries commingled with other garbage in the municipal solid waste stream. Spent consumer lithium batteries disposed in this manner do not pose environmental or safety hazards. Thus, there is no need to require the collection and recycling of spent consumer lithium batteries for the purposes of environmental protection.