Is It Illegal To Throw Batteries In The Trash. Physically you can throw away batteries but you really shouldnt. In most states California is usually an exception when it comes to trash laws regular batteries can go in a dumpster with no problems at all.
However many states have enacted statewide bans on disposing some types of electronic waste in landfills andor incinerators. 14 Things Its Illegal to Throw in the Trash According to the Environmental Protection Agency Americans generate more than 250 million tons of trash every year. Yes single-use batteries are now made of common metals deemed non-hazardous by the federal government and can be disposed of in your regular trash in all states except California where it is illegal to throw away all types of batteries.
The law also states that it is illegal to throw away a battery that has been used more than once in the past three years.
Check your local laws. But even though you shouldnt put batteries in the trash there are plenty of ways to get rid of dead batteries properly. Prior to 1996 single-use batteries contained mercury and were treated as hazardous waste. Small quantities such as generated in a family home are safe to toss into the regular trash.
