When identifying the type of button cell battery you may have, please be sure to differentiate between silver oxide and lithium or alkaline batteries. These batteries are identified by an alphanumeric code. Typically the first letter in the alphanumeric code will identify the type of battery. The first letter ‘L’ indicates an alkaline or lithium battery. Silver oxide batteries are identified by a letter ‘S’ and contain mercury. Button Cell batteries containing mercury can be taken to any household hazardous waste event for recycling.