NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

What types of batteries are non-rechargeable?

Non-rechargeable, including:

• Carbon Zinc (9V, AA, AAA, C, D, Lantern, Multi Cell). Carbon zinc batteries are best suited for low drain applications such as clocks and simple smoke alarms or short intermittency devices such as remote controls. Carbon Zinc batteries produced prior to 1996 may contain mercury. Carbon Zinc batteries produced after 1996 generally do not exceed hazardous waste criteria. There are two common types of carbon zinc batteries:
• LeClanché (C-Zn). These batteries consist of carbon, zinc, manganese dioxide, and a slightly acidic electrolyte consisting of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride in water.
• Zinc chloride carbon zinc (C-Zn), These batteries consist of carbon, zinc, manganese dioxide, and a slightly acidic electrolyte consisting of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride in water. Zinc Chloride battery contains proportionately more zinc chloride in the electrolyte than the LeClanche battery and are therefore slightly more acidic.

Alkaline, or Alkaline Manganese Dioxide-Zinc (Zn/MnO2). (9V, AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, F, J, Lantern, N, Other) Alkaline batteries are best suited for devices that require heavy current or continuous use, such as flashlights and personal electronics. These batteries have a significantly longer service life than Small Sealed Lead Acid or Carbon Zinc batteries. Alkaline batteries produced prior to 1996 may contain mercury. Alkaline batteries produced after 1996 generally do not exceed hazardous waste criteria.

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Mercury-Containing Batteries. There are three common types of batteries that may contain added mercury:

• Mercuric Oxide or Mercuric Oxide-Zinc (ZnHgO2). (Button, some 9V & Button Stack). These batteries are used in hearing aids, pacemakers and photographic equipment. These batteries contain a high percentage of mercury and are no longer sold in the US.
• Silver Oxide (Zn/Ag²O) (Button). The silver oxide/zinc alkaline primary battery is the predominate system of the miniature battery product line. They can be used in watches, calculators, photoelectric exposure devices, hearing aids, and electronic instruments. Silver Oxide batteries generally exceed hazardous waste criteria for silver and mercury (if present) content.
• Zinc Air (Zn/02). (9V, Button). Miniature zinc air batteries are primarily designed to provide power to miniature hearing aids. In most hearing aid applications, zinc air batteries can be directly substituted for silver oxide batteries and will typically give the longest hearing aid service of any common battery system. Zinc air batteries generally exceed hazardous waste criteria for mercury (if present).

Lithium (9V, AA, C, Button, Coin). These batteries have a significantly longer service life than alkaline batteries. They contain no added mercury, cadmium, or lead. All batteries containing lithium generally exceed hazardous waste criteria for reactivity. An explosion or burns may result if these batteries are disassembled or exposed to water, fire, or high temperature. Never attempt to recharge a single-use lithium battery. There are two common types of single-use lithium batteries:

• Lithium Iron Disulfide (Li/FeS2) (AA, AAA). Can be used in any application using primary 1.5 volt battery types AA and AAA.
• Lithium-Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO2) (9V, Miniature, Multi, Multi Cell, Other). Can be used in a wide variety of photographic and electronic equipment.

For additional information regarding Universal Waste & Non-Hazardous Waste Batteries, see the Proper Management of Household Batteries fact sheet from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, www.energizer.com, www.rayovac.com, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_(electricity).

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