How to Recycle 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.
Quick answer
Never put lithium-ion packs in the trash or curbside recycling. Tape terminals or bag each pack (soft pouch cells need a bag). Drop consumer packs at Battery Network partners such as Home Depot or Lowe's (typically under about 11 lb and 300 Wh), or at HHW. Damaged or swollen packs need special handling, not a normal retail bin. Full EV traction packs belong under EV Batteries.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- $0 at consumer drop-off; trade-in credit may apply for working devices
- Donate / take-back
- Available
- 1Power the device off before you remove a pack
- 2Remove the battery only if it slides or unclips easily; do not pry glued phone or tablet packs yourself
- 3Cover exposed terminals with electrical, packing, or duct tape, or place each pack in its own plastic bag
- 4Bag soft pouch cells in individual bags (bubble bags are preferred when available)
- 5Keep packs cool, dry, and away from metal keys, coins, and other batteries
- 6If a pack is swollen, hot, smoking, or punctured, stop using it and take it to HHW or a damaged-battery program, not a standard retail bin
- 7Call ahead for e-bike or scooter packs; many exceed the ~11 lb / ~300 Wh retail bin limit
- Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle) drop-off boxes at Home Depot, Lowe's, and partner retailers
- Municipal household hazardous waste facilities
- Electronics retailers for whole devices (confirm loose-pack rules; Best Buy loose packs are CA/NY and under 100 Wh only)
- Carrier and phone stores for devices still containing the pack
EPA: do not put Li-ion batteries or devices that contain them in household garbage or municipal recycling bins. Tape terminals and/or bag packs separately. Swollen or damaged packs go to HHW or Battery Network damaged-battery handling, not the entrance tub if staff say no. Home Depot Call2Recycle typically accepts rechargeables up to about 11 lb and under 300 Wh, free. Best Buy lists loose small rechargeable batteries (less than 100 Wh) for California and New York only; prefer Battery Network / HD / Lowe's for packs elsewhere. Vehicle traction packs use manufacturer or EV recycler programs.
Li-ion packs contain cobalt, nickel, lithium, graphite, and copper that recyclers recover for new cells. Leaving them in trash or blue bins risks fires when trucks compact loads or MRF equipment crushes devices.
- Trade in or recycle the whole device when the pack is glued in
- Manufacturer power-tool pack trade-up programs
Accepted
- Laptop, phone, and tablet batteries (loose if already removed, or inside the device)
- Power-tool battery packs within retailer weight and watt-hour limits
- E-bike and scooter packs only when the site accepts medium-format / high-energy packs (call ahead; many HD bins do not)
- Drone, RC, speaker, and headphone Li-ion packs
- Portable power banks
Not Accepted
- Household trash or curbside recycling bins
- Full EV / hybrid traction battery packs (see EV Batteries)
- Batteries that are actively smoking, on fire, or too hot to handle (call local fire or HHW for instructions)
- Untaped packs loose with metal scrap
- Damaged or swollen packs in a standard retail bin without staff approval
Estimated value: $0 at consumer drop-off; trade-in credit may apply for working devices
- Flammable organic electrolyte
- Cobalt and nickel compounds
- Lithium salts
What should I do if my lithium-ion battery is swollen?
Stop charging and using it. Do not puncture, flatten, or remove a glued phone pack yourself. Place the device or pack away from flammables and take it to HHW or a damaged-battery program. Never put it in trash, curbside recycling, or a normal retail drop-off bin.
Why do Li-ion batteries start fires in trash trucks?
Compactors and sorting equipment can crush or short a cell. A damaged Li-ion pack can enter thermal runaway and ignite nearby trash or recyclables. That is why EPA tells households to use separate battery or HHW collection.
How do I know if a battery is lithium-ion?
Look for Li-ion, Li-Po, or a nominal 3.6-3.7V marking. Power-tool packs and phone batteries are almost always Li-ion. If you are unsure and it is rechargeable, treat it as Li-ion and keep it out of the trash.
Where can I drop off lithium-ion batteries near me?
Use the Battery Network locator (formerly Call2Recycle), or check Home Depot, Lowe's, and your city HHW site. Confirm size limits for e-bike packs before you drive over. Do not assume Best Buy takes loose packs nationwide.
Can I recycle an EV car battery here?
No. Household Battery Network bins and big-box drop-offs are for consumer packs. EV traction batteries need dealer, manufacturer, or EV-battery recycler programs. See the EV Batteries category.
Is lithium-ion the same as single-use lithium?
No. Lithium-ion is rechargeable. Lithium primary (often marked simply lithium) is single-use and still a fire risk. Both need taped terminals and battery drop-off, not trash. Primary cells often fail standard rechargeable-only retail bins.
Recycling centers that accept Lithium-Ion Batteries
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept lithium-ion batteries. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.