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A car battery contains 18 pounds of lead and one pound
of sulfuric acid. |
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Household batteries contribute many potentially
hazardous compounds to the municipal solid waste stream, including
zinc, lead, nickel, alkalines, manganese, cadmium, silver, and
mercury.
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In 1989, 621.2 tons of household batteries were disposed
of in the US, thats double the amount discarded in 1970. |
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In 1986, 138,000 tons of lead-acid batteries were disposed
of in the US. |
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Regular flashlight batteries can be disposed of in the
trash, though it is best to take them to a recycler. |
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Mercury-oxide and silver-oxide button batteries are often
collected by jewelers, pharmacies, and hearing-aid stores who sell them
to companies that reclaim the metals. |
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In 1993, 80 to 95% of automobile batteries were
recycled.
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