Medical & Pharmaceuticals recycling
How to Recycle Digital Thermometers
Battery-powered electronic thermometers, including oral, ear, forehead, and non-contact infrared models. These are small e-waste items, not a mercury hazard like glass thermometers.
Check local acceptanceMinimal for the device; the battery is the main hazardous component worth separatingLast reviewed July 30, 2026
Quick answer
Digital thermometers have no mercury, so they don't need hazardous-waste handling. Pull the battery and recycle it separately through a battery drop-off, then recycle or donate the thermometer body as small electronics rather than trashing it.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Minimal for the device; the battery is the main hazardous component worth separating
How to Prepare
- 1Remove the battery, usually a button cell, and recycle it through a battery take-back program like Call2Recycle or a retailer drop-off
- 2Wipe the thermometer down with alcohol-based disinfectant
- 3