The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency recommends disposing of alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) with regular household trash. Alkaline batteries contain no hazardous waste and little recyclable materials.
Previous environmental hazards associated with alkaline batteries were due to their mercury content. The Federal Battery Management Act of 1996 phased out the use of mercury in alkaline batteries and today, few if any, alkaline batteries contain mercury. Residents who would still like to recycle household batteries can drop them off at area Battery Plus retailers.