Batteries are made of different materials. Those materials are acid, lead, nickel, lithium, cadmium, alkaline, mercury and nickel metal hydride. Types Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries for laptops and those used for electric cars, Button cell batteries for hearing aids, small toys and watches, contain silver and mercury, Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb) power such devices as mobility scooters, fire emergency tools, UPS back-up systems, hospital equipment and exit signs and Lead acid batteries used in automotive applications.

Most of those materials are enviromentally dangerous, when batteries are not properly disposed of the casing can disintegrate and the toxic chemicals within can leach into the surrounding environment. The leaking material can contaminate the soil and water and some of the elements can accumulate in wildlife and humans.

Environmentally Friendly Batteries:

Consider those batteries that are rechargeable, last longer on the long run, less costly, last years.  Also those one time batteries will damage your equipment if it gets leaking in a less time frame.  Rechargeable batteries could last between 2 to 7 years. Rechargeable cordless phone batteries could last 1 to 2 years.  

Why You Should Recycle them?

 When batteries begin to rot in the landfill sites these chemicals may leak into the ground, which can cause soil and water pollution. When chemicals contaminate soil and water, can affect  animals, humans, plants and the environment.