In my state, *every* place that sells batteries, is *required* to provide a recycling container for used batteries; except for car batteries, of course. So the local corner store has a bucket for used batteries. I would try calling your state government; after the heat that mercury containing bateries generated, to the point that all major alakaline battery mfgr's now make mercury free batteries, odds are there is a recycling program in your state. In my city, I can leave dead batteries at the curb, in a clear plastic bag, on 'recycling day' (every other Wed.) Usually, I just take them to work, and recycle them there.
Odds are, your state, county, or city government has some laws regading battery recycling. Probably take some phone calls to brain dead 'civil' servants, but you should be able to find the one guy in the whole state that actually knows how your (state, county, city) battery recycling program is run.
Nicads, of couse, contain heavy metals, as do lead acid gel cells. I think many batteries could go into the regular trash now, but somebody is smart enough to know that if tey allow that, all the nicads, etc., will go in the trash, too.