小形電池に着目し、その化学性状および使用・廃棄実態、小型家電製品からの取り外しの実態を把握し、回収・リサイクル検討に向けた基礎的知見を得ることを目的とした。そのために小形電池の化学性状把握を試みると同時に, 小型家電製品中の電池保有や廃棄時の電池取り外しに関する消費者アンケートを行い。これらの結果より、国内における小形電池に含まれる金属量を推定した。その結果、小形電池にはレアメタルを含むさまざまな物質が含まれることが確認された。また、消費者アンケート調査の結果、小型家電製品および、小形電池の保有状況および個数が明らかになったと同時に、廃棄時7割以上は小形電池を取り外していないこと、小形二次電池の回収・リサイクルに関する法律やシステムの認知度は3～4割であることなどが明らかになった。また、家庭で保有されている小形電池に含まれる金属量を推定すると たとえばLiは516ton. Coは3, 900ton. Niは 4, 700ton. Cdは1, 600tonとなり、Li. Co. Niは年間国内需要量の1～4割、Cdも同程度にあたり、回収リサイクルの意義が確認された。The objective of this study was to acquire fundamental knowledge to be incorporated in the establishment of an environmentally friendly system for collecting and recycling small batteries in Japan. We conducted both a chemical analysis of small batteries, as well as a consumer questionnaire on usage of small batteries in home electric appliances and behavior surrounding battery disposal. Using the results, we estimated the amount of metals found in these small, domestic-use batteries. We concluded that various metals, including rare metals, are contained in the small batteries. As a result of the consumer questionnaire, it became clear that 70% or more of the small batteries are not being removed when small home electric appliances are finally disposed of. The survey also revealed that recognition of the law and system for collection and recycling of small rechargeable batteries is approximately 30-40%. Moreover, when the amount of metal contained in home-use small batteries was estimated, amounts were equivalent to 10-40% that of the annual domestic demands for lithium, cobalt, and nickel: and home-use cadmium is comparable to the annual demand. This study clearly shows the importance of establishing proper collection and recycling systems to recover these resources.