The United States consumes over $10.4 billion in batteries annually, powering everything from children's toys to hearing aids. Because batteries contain certain toxic substances, such as cadmium, lead, and sulfuric acid, introducing them into landfills and other solid waste disposal facilities once they are used can be harmful to the environment and to public health.

Virtually every type of battery currently in common use—alkaline, lead acid, nickel-cadmium, lithium ion, and more—can be recycled to some extent. Even rechargeable batteries, which were designed in part to cut down on the expense and environmental impact of battery consumption, can be recycled after they have lost the ability to hold a charge.

The Universal Waste Rule, an amendment to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was introduced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1995 in an effort to lower some of the administrative and financial...