Batteries come in many different chemistries, sizes, shapes and voltage. Household batteries fall into two main categories:

• primary or single use batteries like alkaline or silver oxide button cell batteries, and
• rechargeable batteries like lithium ion and nickel metal hydride batteries

Several states have enacted battery stewardship legislation. In 2012, legislation to require manufacturer to participate and fund a product stewardship program for rechargeable batteries was introduced in Washington state but did not pass. Visit the Product Stewardship Institute’s Battery site for more information on battery stewardship laws.

Recent battery news:

• Recharging Battery Product Stewardship – the Case for Legislation Call2Recycle, Sept. 2012
• Producer Responsibility for Disposable Batteries Bill Sheehan, the Product Policy Institute, May 7, 2012