A primary cell is a battery that is made to be used one time only. It cannot be recharged. Once all the power is used up, the battery must be thrown away. It no longer makes electricity. Primary cells are often used to give power to small appliances that are used in the home.

The advantages about this kind of disposable battery include:

• being cheaper (costs less money)
• being easier to make
• lasting longer before being used (shelf life)
• high availability

The disadvantages about this kind of disposable battery are that:

• it is highly toxic and
• it releases too much waste when thrown away.