Battery Types
Alkaline batteries may be used in flashlights, radios, toys, calculators, remote controls, electronic games, portable radios, televisions, and garage door openers.
Lithium non-rechargeable batteries are used in cameras, computer memory backup, video equipment, remote controls, and garage door openers.
Carbon zinc non-rechargeable batteries are used in clocks, garage door openers, pagers, smoke detectors, alarms, lighting and lanterns.
Silver oxide non-rechargeable batteries are often used in cameras and invisible fencing.
Alkaline button batteries are used in radios, toys, calculators, electronic games, watches, and electronic thermostats.
Mercuric oxide button batteries are primarily used in hearing aids.
Nickel cadmium batteries are found in computers and power tools.
Silver oxide button batteries are used in hearing aids, watches, calculators, toys, musical greeting cards, and books.
Lithium button batteries are used in cameras, calculators, computer memory backup, hearing aids, digital thermometers, and smoke detectors.
Zinc air button batteries are used in hearing aids, portable computers, and pagers.
Safety Notes
Avoid carrying nickel cadmium and/or lithium batteries in your pocket with coins. The battery may cause a spark with the coins and potentially burn your clothes and skin.
Store rechargeable batteries in a non-metal container and keep separate from other batteries and any source of ignition.
Tape the receptor ends of nickel cadmium and lithium batteries with duct or electrical tape for storing and transporting to a recycling drop off.
Never attempt to open sealed lead acid batteries. Store away from children.
Non-rechargeable batteries may contain silver, lithium, zinc, alkaline, and electrolytes. Lithium batteries have the potential to create a spark if stored with other metal objects which could result in an explosion and/or fire.
What Makes Batteries Hazardous?
Batteries may contain silver, lithium, zinc, lead, mercury, nickel, cadmium, and electrolytes. If batteries leak or explode, the chemical substances contained in these batteries can cause burns and/or contaminate the environment.
The heavy metals contained in batteries may accumulate in aquatic life, animals, and humans.