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How to Recycle Batteries
Sort batteries by chemistry. Take rechargeable, lithium primary, button/coin, and small lead-acid batteries to a program that accepts them, never household trash or curbside recycling. Alkaline AA/AAA batteries may go in household trash where local rules allow. Tape terminals or bag batteries as EPA recommends, and check devices for hidden cells.
11 materials covered11 recyclable
Alkaline Batteries
Single-use alkaline and zinc-carbon household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) used in remotes, toys, flashlights, and clocks. Modern consumer alkalines are largely mercury-free. Recyclers reclaim zinc and manganese when a drop-off accepts them.
Learn how to recycle Alkaline Batteries
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion / Li-Po) batteries from phones, laptops, power tools, drones, and portable electronics. Removable packs and whole devices both recycle; large vehicle traction packs and oversized e-bike modules need EV or medium-format programs, not a storefront tub.
Learn how to recycle Lithium-Ion Batteries
Button Cell Batteries
Small round button and coin cells (CR2032 and similar, silver oxide, zinc-air hearing-aid cells, older mercury oxide) used in watches, key fobs, hearing aids, calculators, and medical devices.
Learn how to recycle Button Cell Batteries
Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH)
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH / Ni-MH) rechargeable cells and packs used in rechargeable AA/AAA sets, older digital cameras, cordless phones, toys, and some hybrid-vehicle modules. Labels usually say NiMH and 1.2V.
Learn how to recycle Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH)
Lead-Acid Batteries (Small)
Small sealed lead-acid batteries (SLA / VRLA / SSLA) from UPS battery backups, emergency lights, mobility scooters, alarm systems, and similar equipment. Same lead-and-acid chemistry as car batteries, in a smaller sealed case.
Learn how to recycle Lead-Acid Batteries (Small)
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries (NiCd)
Older nickel-cadmium (NiCd / Ni-Cd) rechargeable cells and packs from cordless power tools, two-way radios, emergency lights, RC toys, and early cordless phones. Labels say NiCd or nickel cadmium, usually 1.2V.
Learn how to recycle Nickel-Cadmium Batteries (NiCd)
Lithium Primary Batteries
Non-rechargeable lithium-metal primary cells (CR123A, CR2, some AA/AAA marked lithium, camera and smoke-detector cells) that use lithium metal rather than a rechargeable Li-ion chemistry.
Learn how to recycle Lithium Primary Batteries
Phone/Tablet Batteries
Built-in lithium-ion batteries in smartphones and tablets, usually adhesive-mounted and not designed for home removal. Overlaps with loose Li-ion recycling once a technician has removed the pack.
Learn how to recycle Phone/Tablet Batteries
Disposable Vapes & E-Cigarettes
Disposable and rechargeable vapes are mixed electronic products with a lithium-ion battery, wiring, plastic, and sometimes residual nicotine. They need a specialized collection route, not a curbside bin.
Learn how to recycle Disposable Vapes & E-Cigarettes
E-Bike Batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion packs from electric bicycles and similar rideables. They are higher-energy than ordinary household cells and need a compatible collection and shipping route.
Learn how to recycle E-Bike Batteries
Power-Tool & High-Energy Batteries
Rechargeable battery packs from cordless drills, saws, lawn equipment, snow blowers, vacuums, and portable power stations.
Learn how to recycle Power-Tool & High-Energy Batteries
Guides, tools, and research
Continue from individual material instructions to the broader guide, calculator, or research page for this topic.
Battery disposal checker
Safety and drop-off guidance by battery chemistry.
NiCd battery recycling
Where nickel-cadmium packs from power tools, phones, and emergency lights go, and how to prepare them.
E-bike batteries
Find the dedicated route for high-energy rideable batteries and damaged packs.
E-bike battery recycling guide
Drop-off options, prep steps, and what California's SB 501 changes for large rechargeable packs.
Power-tool batteries
Separate common rechargeable packs from high-energy batteries and damaged units.
Electronics recycling guide
Prepare devices and embedded batteries for reuse or recycling.
Find batteries recycling centers
Search recycling centers by city or ZIP, then call ahead to confirm they take batteries.
Complete Battery Recycling Guide
Why Battery Recycling is Critical
Batteries can start fires in collection trucks and sorting equipment, and some contain materials that need dedicated handling. Keep each chemistry out of curbside recycling and use a collection program that accepts it.
- • Lead-acid: Return car batteries to an auto-parts retailer or battery recycler.
- • Lithium-ion: Tape exposed terminals or bag each battery before using a dedicated drop-off.
- • Alkaline: Follow your state or local solid-waste authority's instructions.
- • Button cells: Store securely away from children and use a program that accepts them.
Safety & Environmental Impact
A damaged or loose lithium-ion battery can short-circuit and ignite. Proper handling reduces that risk and gives a recycler the best chance to recover materials.
What it avoids:
- • Keeps batteries out of curbside sorting equipment
- • Recovers materials where the recycler's process supports it
- • Reduces fire hazards at waste facilities
- • Sends each battery chemistry to the handling stream it needs
Hidden Batteries: Check These Before You Toss Them
Anything that lights up, plays sound, vibrates, or charges has a battery inside. EPA warns that a battery, or a device containing one, can be damaged or crushed in a truck or sorting line and start a fire.
Common hidden-battery items
- • Disposable vapes and e-cigarettes
- • Singing and musical greeting cards
- • Electric toothbrushes
- • Wireless earbuds and headphones
- • Smart watches and fitness trackers
- • Power banks and mini fans
- • Remote controls and handheld games
- • Kids' light-up shoes and toys
- • Smoke detectors and e-readers
How to prep and where to take them
- • Pull out any battery that slides out. Bag it or tape its terminals with clear packing tape or electrical tape (skip masking and painter's tape).
- • Leave sealed-in batteries in the item and take the whole item to an e-waste or household hazardous-waste drop-off that lists it.
- • Find a rechargeable-battery drop-off with the Battery Network locator.
- • Never put a swollen or damaged battery in a store collection box. Call the manufacturer or your household hazardous-waste program.
Why it matters
Fire Rover counted 448 publicly reported battery fires at U.S. and Canadian waste and recycling facilities in 2025, the most since it began tracking in 2016. In September 2026, a lithium-ion battery pack likely started a garbage truck fire in North Smithfield, Rhode Island (September 8), and a crushed lithium-ion battery set a South Bend, Indiana recycling truck on fire.
Sources: EPA: Used lithium-ion batteries | The Battery Network: FAQs | Oregon Metro: Items with hidden batteries | RILA: Items that may spark fires | Resource Recycling: Fire Rover 2025 data | Turn to 10: North Smithfield truck fire | WSBT: South Bend battery fire
FIRE HAZARD: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
Before Disposal:
- • Tape battery terminals with clear or electrical tape
- • Store in non-conductive containers
- • Never throw in regular trash or curbside recycling
- • Damaged/swollen batteries require special handling
Warning Signs:
- • Swollen or bulging battery casing
- • Excessive heat during charging
- • Leaking fluid or white powder
- • Never puncture or incinerate batteries
Battery Recycling FAQ
Where can I recycle batteries for free?
Rechargeable batteries go free to retail drop-off bins at stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Staples; find one with the Battery Network locator. Car batteries go back to any auto-parts store. Household hazardous waste sites take the rest, and each store lists the battery types it accepts.
Can alkaline batteries go in the trash?
In most US states, yes. California bans every battery from the trash, alkalines included, and a few cities set their own rules. No battery goes in the curbside recycling cart. Where a household battery drop-off exists, use it.
Why do I need to tape battery terminals?
Exposed terminals can short-circuit if they contact metal, causing fires in collection bins and trucks. Use clear packing tape or electrical tape to cover both terminals before recycling.
What happens to recycled batteries?
Recyclers sort batteries by chemistry, then recover materials such as lead, steel, cobalt, nickel, lithium, zinc, or manganese depending on the chemistry. Each chemistry needs its own process, which is why batteries go to a dedicated collection program and never the curbside cart.
Can I recycle rechargeable batteries?
Yes. Rechargeable batteries go to a battery collection program, never the curbside cart. Tape the terminals or bag each battery before drop-off, and treat lithium-ion batteries with the most care.
Are button batteries dangerous?
Yes. A swallowed button battery is a medical emergency. Keep them away from children, tape the terminals before storage, and use a collection program that specifically accepts button batteries.
Where do e-bike and other large rechargeable batteries go?
Use a drop-off that lists e-bike or high-energy batteries, because only some sites accept packs over 300 watt-hours. Tape the terminals, bag the pack, and never put it at the curb. California's SB 501, signed in September 2026, adds these medium-format packs to the state's battery program, but free drop-off will not start until CalRecycle finishes its rules. Illinois' battery law, in effect since January 1, 2026, already covers them. Our e-bike battery recycling guide has the details.
What should I do with a swollen or damaged battery?
Stop using and charging it. Set it in sand or kitty litter, then call the manufacturer or your household hazardous-waste program. Do not put it in the trash, water, a recycling bin, or a store collection box.
Which everyday items have hidden lithium batteries?
Disposable vapes, singing greeting cards, electric toothbrushes, wireless earbuds, smart watches, power banks, mini fans, remote controls, and kids' light-up shoes all carry lithium cells. Treat anything that charges, lights up, or plays sound on its own as a battery item and keep it out of the trash and blue bin.
Where do I take vapes, singing cards, and other hidden-battery items?
Take the whole item to a household hazardous-waste site or an e-waste drop-off that lists it. If a battery slides out, bag it or tape its terminals and use the Battery Network locator. Never use the trash or blue bin.
How many battery fires happen at waste and recycling facilities?
Fire Rover counted 448 publicly reported battery fires at U.S. and Canadian waste and recycling facilities in 2025, the most since it began tracking in 2016. September 2026 brought truck fires in North Smithfield, Rhode Island and South Bend, Indiana.