There is no "AWAY" or "GONE" and many of us forget this, especially living in California and even the United States because we do not see the horrendous waste piles in water or massive landfills. Batteries are one of the most detrimental forms of power/materials in the world. These are not things one can just throw away and not see the repercussions. Up until the 1990s  most/all batteries contained mercury in them and when batteries started to decompose or break down this mercury was released. Mercury is highly poisonous to humans and animals so you can see how this would be a problem. In 1996 a social action initiative to end these harmful materials was enabled with Congress passing the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act. However just because this Act was passed does not meant that batteries are now suddenly ok to just throw away. That is in fact not the case.  It has come to my attention that in all places in the United States  except California it is not illegal to throw away batteries. (http://www.earth911.com/recycling-guide … recycle-si ngle-use-batteries/) California is utilizing its power to help the environment. For all of you who live in different states this is a very important subject to bring to your state representatives and possibly even the federal government. Do not shy away from bringing environmental issues into government policy! Be the advocate the earth so desperately needs.

Hello Anne, my name is Tina from China. I am pleasure to give your article response.  We always said "Mustn't throw batteries away", But in China, most of us don't know where to throw batteries is correct. In my family, my little brother is playing many kinds of electronic toys, and most of them need batteries to keep working, and the batteries using frequency are pretty fast, I mean two batteries only can give a toy gun energy for one week. So, you can imagine how many dumped batteries in my home. In the other hand, I really don't know where to put them. Because in Chinese rubbish bin, there are only recycle box and unrecoverable box, there isn't "used batteries box." This is my first time know about USA have law to deal with used batteries. In my opinion, China should learn USA to improve law. What's more, government should teach every citizens including young kid understand how harmful of batteries to out living World. I think, you can writer letter to government to tell your thought, and announced your classmates and friends don't throw away batteries.

I agree Tina, I think it is awesome that you have noticed how much your brother uses batteries- and then bring that to a broader scale with millions of people using batteries. Honestly, I would suggest your own initiative into the situation. You could start a battery drive in your area and collect the batteries in a box. I am all for social work within the community and also am super pro girl power! If you need more ideas, let me know!
--Anne