system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why can't you recharge regular batteries?
gpt
The most popular non-rechargable battery types are alkaline and zinc-carbon.  Both of these kinds of batteries produce electricity by means of a chemical reaction with the chemicals inside them.  As they produce electricity, the chemicals transform into a different chemical.

Both reactions can technically be undone by applying electricity in the reverse direction.  In fact, rechargeable alkaline batteries are somewhat common, as they are cheaper than other kinds of rechargeable batteries and store charge for a longer period of time.  The reason some alkaline batteries are designated as non-rechargeable is simply because they were not designed as such.  Applying a charging current to these batteries can cause them to charge;  however, they may build up pressure from the reverse chemical reaction, which could cause them to explode and leak corrosive electrolytes.

Zinc-Carbon batteries do not currently come in a rechargeable variant, although there is no physical reason why they could not be recharged.  Like Alkaline batteries, applying a charging current to them will reverse the reaction, but since they are not designed to be recharged, may explode from pressure.

Also note that using and recharging a battery multiple times causes it to wear out.  Non-rechargeable batteries may wear out faster than rechargeable ones as their electrode design is not made to be recharged.

TL;DR  You *can* charge non-rechargeable batteries, but they might explode if you do so.  They probably won't work as well as rechargeable ones either.