--- What generates a battery (besides energy)? ---
Residual components such as: Lead, Nickel, Cobalt,
Mercury, Cadmium, (Iron), (Zinc), (Copper), (Aluminium).
Dont forget the sheath and packing: Plastic and ink.
And also all the residues and toxic fumes produced during their manufacture.
All these beautiful elements, by leakage, leaching or lixiviation, sooner or later will find themselves in the ground and the groundwater or in the atmosphere by the incineration of our domestic waste.
Rechargeable batteries, although more poisonous, have at least the merit to be reusable, which decreases the quantity in circulation, furthermore they are already recovered by several retailers and stores.
Since May 3, 1998 I recover used batteries and cellulars near my family, friends and participating companies.
Once a month I sort and convey the whole in an éco-center which will get rid of it adequately.