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sl8

(16,662 posts)

2. Shelf life depends mainly on the type.

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Sun Jun 1, 2025, 06:43 AM

Jun 1

Last edited Sun Jun 1, 2025, 07:57 AM - Edit history (2)

Shelf life varies, based on multiple factors, but primarily the chemistry.:

Alkaline : about 5-7 years
Lithium (non-rechargeable): about 10-15 years
Zinc-carbon: about 2-3 years
Silver oxide: about 3-5 years

https://batteriesinc.net/shelf-life-of-various-battery-types/

On edit:

As Claudette mentioned above, dispose of them properly. In some places, disposal of some types of batteries in regular trash is against the law.

EPA recommendations:

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-household-batteries

Used Household Batteries

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Highlight:

should I throw away an old, unopened package of batteries? [View all] CTyankee Jun 1 OP

There's usually claudette Jun 1 #1

Shelf life depends mainly on the type. sl8 Jun 1 #2

Home Depot and Lowes both have a recycling bin for batteries. Lochloosa Jun 1 #3

Why not open them and see if they worK? bucolic_frolic Jun 1 #4

Interesting. Hadn't heard of that. Raven123 Jun 1 #5

Yes, it's an old one. bucolic_frolic Jun 1 #6

Thanks Raven123 Jun 1 #7

I'd use a battery tester to determine if they're still good. LogDog75 Jun 1 #8

wow, thanks! CTyankee Jun 1 #9