page_title: Zinc–carbon battery
section_title: Environmental impact
hierarchical_section_title: Zinc–carbon battery / Environmental impact
caption_attribution_description: English: Disassembled zinc chloride cell (similar to zinc carbon cell) R6 (AA). 1:entire cell, 2:steel casing, 3:zinc negative electrode, 4:carbon rod, 5:positive electrode (Manganese dioxide mixed with carbon powder and electrolyte), 6:paper separator, 7:polyethylene leakproof isolation, 8:sealing rings, 9-negative terminal, 10-positive terminal (originally connected to carbon rod) Čeština: Rozebraný zinko-chloridový článek (podobný zinko-uhlíkovému) 1:celý článek, 2:kovový vnější obal s potiskem, 3:zinková záporná elektroda, 4:uhlíková tyčinka, 5:kladná elektroda (oxid manganičitý a práškový uhlík nasáklý elektrolytem), 6:papírový separátor, 7:polyethylénová nepropustná vrstva, 8:těsnící kroužky, 9:záporný pól, 10:kladný pól (původně připevněn k uhlíkové tyčince) Polski: Rozmontowana bateria z chlorkiem cynku jako elektrolitem (budowa analogiczna jak standardowej baterii cynkowo-węglowej, tj. ogniwa Leclanchégo). 1: nierozmontowana bateria, 2: metalowy kubek/płaszcz, 3: elektroda ujemna - cynkowa, 4: pręt węglowy, 5: elektroda dodatnia - ditlenek manganu zmieszany ze sproszkowanym węglem i elektrolitem, 6: rozdzielacz - papier, 7: izolacja polietylenowa, 8: uszczelki, 9: końcówka wyprowadzająca napięcie ujemne (oryginalnie podłączona do elementu 3), 10: końcówka wyprowadzająca napięcie dodatnie (oryginalnie podłączona do elementu 4)
context_page_description: A zinc–carbon battery is a dry cell primary battery that provides direct electric current from the electrochemical reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide. It produces a voltage of about 1.5 volts between the zinc anode, which is typically realized as a container for the battery, and a carbon rod of positive polarity, the cathode, that collects the current from the manganese dioxide electrode, giving the cell its name.
  General-purpose batteries may use an aqueous paste of ammonium chloride as electrolyte, possibly mixed with some zinc chloride solution. Heavy-duty types use a paste primarily composed of zinc chloride.
  Zinc–carbon batteries were the first commercial dry batteries, developed from the technology of the wet Leclanché cell. They made flashlights and other portable devices possible, because the battery functions in any orientation. They are still useful in low-drain or intermittent-use devices such as remote controls, flashlights, clocks or transistor radios. Zinc–carbon dry cells are single-use primary cells.
context_section_description: Thousands of tons of zinc–carbon batteries are discarded every year around the world and are often not recycled.
  Disposal varies by jurisdiction. For example, in the U.S,  the state of California considers all batteries as hazardous waste when discarded, and has banned the disposal of batteries with other domestic waste. In Europe, battery disposal is controlled by the WEEE Directive and Battery Directive regulations, and as such zinc–carbon batteries must not be thrown out with domestic waste. In the EU, most stores that sell batteries are required by law to accept old batteries for recycling.
caption: Disassembled zinc chloride cell (similar to zinc carbon cell). 1: entire cell, 2: steel casing, 3: zinc negative electrode, 4: carbon rod, 5: positive electrode (manganese dioxide mixed with carbon powder and electrolyte), 6: paper separator, 7: polyethylene leak proof isolation, 8: sealing rings, 9: negative terminal, 10: positive terminal (originally connected to carbon rod).
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