The disposal of consumer batteries constitutes a significant flow of toxic materials into municipal solid waste (MSW). While there have been efforts to recycle consumer batteries in the United States for the last 15 years, the vast majority of batteries still end up in landfills and incinerators. Efforts to recycle nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries increased dramatically when they were classified as a "universal waste" and the complicated requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) were removed. However, while the regulatory environment for battery transport and recycling has improved, economics have become the limiting factor in further recycling growth.

There is significant potential to improve this problem through the implementation of improved battery recycling legislation, including the option of requiring manufacturers to take back waste batteries. Many European countries have implemented manufacturer take-back laws of both rechargeable and alkaline batteries. If such programs are designed efficiently with convenient collection programs and provide appropriate incentives to industry, they may create substantial environmental benefits, at low or break-even costs.