Sources : BATTE RI ES
* http://www.livescience.com/50657-
What are AA batteries made of:
* environment.pdf
zinc
* manganese dioxide
Are AA batteries Toxic?
* potassium hydroxide may leak
* severe chemical burns can result if
potassium hydroxide comes into
contact with the skin or eyes.
* they arent listed hazardous waste
under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA
how-batteries-work.html
* https://practicegreenhealth.org/
pubs/alkbatfs.pdf
* https://ecokids.ca/teachers/wp-
content/uploads/sites/2/2015/08/
battery-impact-on-the-
* http://
electronics.howstuworks.com/
everyday-tech/battery3.htm
* http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-
you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/
Household Toxic
cleaning/how-to-dispose-of-
household-hazardous-waste/ Waste: Batteries
By: Terran Haberman

Why are they harmful to the
environment?
* identified as a problem material in the
waste stream
* some of these chemicals, such as nickel
and cadmium, are extremely toxic, and
cause damage to humans and environment
* can cause soil and water pollution and
endanger wildlife
* cadmium can cause damage to soil
micro-organisms and aect the
breakdown of organic matter
* also can bioaccumulate in fish, which
reduce their numbers and make them
unfit for human consumption.
manganese dioxide mixture
zinc powder
How can they be
potassium hydroxide electrolyte responsibly disposed of ?
* TAKE TO A DEPOT NEAR
YOU*
*keep materials in their original
Pure Substance: containers
* cathode is composed of a manganese
*ensure that the containers are well
dioxide mixture
labelled
* anode is a zinc powder
*do not mix dierent products
* potassium hydroxide electrolyte which is together
an alkaline substance
* tightly cap all containers