Both disposable and rechargeable batteries can be recycled.  A growing number of states require you to recycle your batteries.  In California it is required because batteries are considered hazardous waste and they must be disposed of properly.  In states which recycling is not required they still may be hazardous waste but legislation has not yet been passed to enforce it.

Even with such legislation a study from 2001 reported that 500 million batteries were purchased in California that year and less that 1% were recycled.

The following link provides battery recycling locations for the entire U.S.:  RECYCLE!