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Alkaline Battery Fact Sheet
Office of Pollution Prevention
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Disposal of alkaline batteries

Alkaline batteries are also called primary or nonrechargeable batteries. The positive pole (anode) of the battery contains zinc, while the negative pole (cathode) contains manganese dioxide. Potassium hydroxide electrolyte, a strong alkali, is contained within the cells of alkaline batteries. If alkaline batteries are damaged or mishandled, the potassium hydroxide may leak out of the battery cell. Severe chemical burns can result if potassium hydroxide comes into contact either skin or eyes.

Waste classification of alkaline batteries -- RCRA regulations

Alkaline batteries are not a listed hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). To be classified as a hazardous waste the battery must be tested to determine if it meets the definition of one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These characteristics are ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity.

Handling/packaging

WARNING: If potassium hydroxide electrolyte from an alkaline battery comes in contact with the skin, do not try to neutralize the electrolyte with vinegar or any other acidic solutions. Neutralization may trap electrolyte on the skin. Flush the affected skin area with copious amounts of water. If the battery electrolyte gets into your eyes, it can cause severe damage and/or blindness.

Storage

Transportation

Disposal

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The information in this fact sheet was provided by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Quality.

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Updated 9/8/97

 Remove batteries from equipment immediately after they fail to operate the equipment.
 If equipment uses two or more batteries, always replace batteries in complete sets.
 Do not attempt to recharge alkaline batteries, they are non-rechargeable.
 Do not handle hot or warm batteries.
 Do not heat, incinerate, crush, puncture or mutilate batteries.
 Do not package damaged batteries with undamaged batteries.
 Wear personal protective equipment if batteries show signs of leakage, bulging, swelling or deformity.

 The storage area must be equipped with fire suppression equipment. Storage areas and equipment must be approved by the fire department.
 Batteries should be kept cool and dry, away from open flame, heat and combustibles and in well ventilated areas with temperatures not exceeding 130°F.
 Store batteries separately from other hazardous materials.
 Do not store batteries in the equipment they operate for longer than 30 days when the equipment is not being used.

 Alkaline batteries are not specifically regulated under Department of Transportation 49 CFR Part 172.101 - Hazardous Materials Table (HMT); however, if a battery is shipped to or from one of the states which classify alkaline batteries as a hazardous waste, the battery is regulated under the HMT as an "environmentally hazardous substance."
 If batteries are shipped as a hazardous waste, shipment may require shipping papers and/or manifesting of hazardous waste for disposal. Coordinate with the installation Transportation Office for shipping paper requirements and with the installation Environmental Office for manifest requirements.
 If batteries are shipped as a hazardous waste, they must be protected and packaged securely in either a strong fiberboard or wooden box or in fiber or metal drum or they must be placed on pallets and shipped in accordance with Department of Transportation requirements.
 If you are shipping batteries to or from a state which classifies batteries as a hazardous waste, use the word "waste" as a part of the proper shipping name.

 If batteries for disposal are to be managed as a hazardous waste and must be transported off the installation, the batteries are required to be manifested according to regulations found in 40 CFR Part 262. Consult the Environmental Office for guidance concerning manifest requirements.