How do you properly recycle alkaline batteries?

To recycle alkaline batteries, drop them off at retail electronic centers such as Best Buy or Circuit City, or check the hazardous waste collection days of your municipality, and take the batteries to the collection site. Recycling plants hammer and pulverize the batteries and separate their chemical components for reuse.

Recycling plants crush alkaline batteries and sieve the product to get fine black powder and little pieces of steel. The powder contains the manganese, zinc, paper, plastic and brass that make up the batteries. Fertilizer companies buy zinc and manganese, while other companies buy the other products for various uses.