Some scrapyards will pay you for the batteries. It's not much, if I remember right one yard I called would pay between 50 cents and $2 for each battery depending on size.
FWIW, the 'big box' stores around here accept batteries for recycling, as do the county and some local DPW's and/or recycling yards. With county/local you need ID as to living within the county/town.
The bulbs should also be recycled. My home county accepts fluorescent and other HID lamps in 'reasonable' quantities, NOT commercial quantities.
If you go through a lot of rechargeable batteries, the RBRC will send you a collection container (probably the same box they have at most of the stores that take back batteries) that's postpaid both ways for free.
