Proper Use and Handling, Transportation

Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries

ProperUse andHandling(cont.)

9.2 Transportation

Procedures for the transportation of batteries are specified by the United States Department of Transportation in the “Code of Federal Regulations,” CFR49, entitled “Transportation.” Internationally, air transportation is specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in their publication “Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of

Dangerous Goods By Air.”

The nickel-metal hydride battery supplied by Duracell is recognized by the regulatory agencies as a “dry battery.” As such, it is not subject to regulation and can be shipped in normal packaging and transported on any mode of transportation without special handling.

9.3 Waste Management: Recycling and Disposal

The management of waste products in the United States is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA Regulations are listed in the “Code of Federal Regulations”, CFR40, entitled “Protection of Environment.” Individual states and local communities also may establish regulations covering the disposal of waste products. These may be more stringent than the federal regulations and cover the management of household waste, which is not included in the federal regulations.

The U.S. EPA has not provided any specific regulations or guidelines for the waste management of sealed nickel-metal hydride cells or batteries. As a result, a number of states and local governments have passed or are considering legislation which may require special procedures for the disposal of these batteries. Thus, state and local agencies should be contacted for their waste management guidelines. Internationally, procedures for waste management may vary from country to country.

In the absence of regulations or guidelines, the following is recommended for recycling and disposing of used nickel-metal hydride batteries:

A) Recycling;

Duracell encourages the recycling of DURACELL nickel-metal hydride batteries and offers a special worldwide recycling program. For information on recycling DURACELL nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries, please contact your nearest Duracell office. In North America, call toll-free 1-800-551-2355 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. E.S.T.).

B)Disposal:

Household Use – Individual batteries can be dis- posed of with other household wastes.

Commercial Use – When ten or more batteries are accumulated, the commercial user may want to con- sider disposing the batteries in a secure waste land- fill. Since these batteries are not classified as a “hazardous waste,” they can be shipped to the secure waste facility as “non-hazardous waste.”

Local regulations, which specify other methods for the disposal of nickel-metal hydride batteries, supersede these recommendations. Waste manage- ment companies can provide assistance for the disposal of these batteries. As previously stated, nickel-metal hydride batteries should not be disassembled, opened or shredded.