How to Recycle 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.
Quick answer
Prefer whole-device trade-in or retailer e-waste drop-off when the battery is glued in. Never pry out a swollen phone or tablet pack yourself. If a shop already removed a healthy pack, tape the terminals and take it to Battery Network, Home Depot, Lowe's, or HHW. Best Buy is strong for many electronics; loose small rechargeable packs are listed for California and New York only (under 100 Wh).
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- Trade-in credit varies by model and condition; recycling alone is usually $0
- Donate / take-back
- Available
- 1Back up data and sign out of accounts if the device still powers on (data wipe is your responsibility before drop-off)
- 2Power the device off
- 3If the battery is swollen (back glass lifting, device rocking on a table), do not remove it yourself
- 4Prefer manufacturer trade-in, carrier take-back, or electronics / e-waste drop-off for the whole device
- 5Only recycle a loose pack if a repair shop already removed it; then tape terminals or bag it
- Electronics retailers for whole devices (Best Buy and similar; confirm item list)
- Carrier stores and manufacturer trade-in / recycling programs
- Battery Network for already-removed packs (Home Depot, Lowe's)
- Phone repair shops that recycle pulled batteries
- Municipal e-waste and HHW events
Glued Li-ion packs can puncture when forced out with tools, which starts thermal runaway. A swollen phone is a fire risk; keep it cool, do not charge it, and take the whole device to a shop or HHW that handles damaged Li-ion. Removable older packs follow the same tape-and-drop rules as other lithium-ion batteries. Wipe personal data before retailer drop-off.
Phone and tablet packs contain cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper. Whole-device recycling recovers the pack plus the board and metals without a risky home teardown.
Accepted
- Whole phones and tablets with batteries still inside
- OEM or aftermarket packs already removed by a technician
- Devices with swollen batteries (as whole units at shops/HHW that accept them)
Not Accepted
- Trash or curbside recycling
- Loose swollen cells without professional packaging
- Packs you forced out with punctures or bends
- Assuming Best Buy takes loose packs in every state (disclosure: CA and NY, under 100 Wh)
Estimated value: Trade-in credit varies by model and condition; recycling alone is usually $0
- Flammable electrolyte
- Cobalt and nickel compounds
Should I remove the battery before recycling my phone?
Usually no. Modern phones glue the pack in. Trade in or recycle the whole device. Only drop a loose pack if it was already removed cleanly.
What if the battery is swollen?
Stop charging. Do not clamp, puncture, or scrape it out. Take the entire device to a repair shop, carrier counter, or HHW program that accepts damaged lithium batteries. Do not use a normal retail pack bin.
Can I put an old phone in the trash?
No. The Li-ion pack is a fire risk in trash trucks and sorting lines. Use retailer take-back, e-waste collection, or Battery Network for a removed pack.
Will Best Buy take phones with batteries inside?
Most Best Buy stores accept many consumer electronics for recycling, including phones and tablets. Loose small rechargeable batteries are listed for California and New York only (less than 100 Wh). Confirm current item limits and whether damaged swollen devices need a different path.
Is trade-in better than recycling?
If the device still has value, trade-in recovers reuse first and the buyer handles the battery. Dead or damaged devices go straight to recycling or HHW.
Recycling centers that accept Phone/Tablet Batteries
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept phone/tablet batteries. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.