Improper disposal of household batteries

Household batteries contain toxic metals, particularly cadmium, mercury and lead. Their indiscriminate disposal into landfill creates pollution problems in groundwater.

In 1993, the annual disposal of household batteries was just under half a kg (around 8 batteries) per person. The most effective battery collection programme in the USA achieved 18% recovery and commonly recovery was as low as 7%.

1. Inadequate domestic refuse disposal
2. Hazardous wastes

1. Toxic metal pollutants

1. Non-destructible containers and packaging

1. Taxing batteries

1. Inadequacy
2. Impropriety