Don't Bury Your Alkaline Batteries!
     Batteries are a routine part of our daily lives. We use them in our flashlights, wall clocks, toys ... but what happens when they run out?
     After intervention by Congress in the 1990s removed mercury, Hawai`i and other states allowed single-use alkaline batteries to be disposed of in landfills.
     But they still contain toxic substances that can leach into our soil and water, which is why HI County includes them as part of their Household Hazardous Waste Collections.
     Home Depot accepts non-leaking rechargeable batteries used in power tools, cell phones and laptops: (Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), Small Sealed lead Acid (SSLA/PB), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), and Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)). Daleco in Kailua-Kona accepts Ni-Cd, Ni-MH and lithium batteries for a fee.
Recycle Single-Use Alkaline Batteries
(AA, AAA, C, D & 9-volt)
     Convenience is a big part of scaling up recycling efforts. So Mr. K's has started a pilot project to provide another collection site for single-use alkaline batteries that is:
  • year round
  • at no cost to customers (donations are welcome!)
This does not include rechargeable batteries, which have different components.
     Look for the colorful labeled buckets at the kiosk when you bring in your recyclables.

What's the cost to recycle a battery?

The Alkaline Battery Recycling Pilot Project
     Alkaline batteries are recyclable. They are primarily made of steel, zinc and manganese dioxide. Their steel casings can be purified and reused, while the zinc and manganese dioxide can be recycled into new products like sun screen and road asphalt aggregate. See other benefits here.
     In order to encourage as many folks as possible to recycle their batteries, single-use alkaline batteries can be disposed of at Mr. K's for free.
     As part of the pilot project, Mr. K's is covering the costs of recycling batteries, including shipping and processing, and is inviting anyone interested to be a part of keeping it sustainable.

How You Can Help Sustain the Project
  • At Mr. K's, you can donate your HI-5 redeemable funds to various community groups. In the same way, we've created a Battery Fund that you can support with your HI-5 funds.
  • You can also make a donation to cover the cost of any batteries you recycle, or pay it forward to cover the costs of others. Visit the office to make a contribution.

Mahalo for being a part of caring for our 'Aina!