Battery Recycling & Disposal Checker
Check how to recycle or dispose of alkaline, lithium-ion, NiCd, NiMH, lead-acid, button cell, and rechargeable batteries. Get safety steps before you search for a nearby drop-off location.
Based on your device, this is most often a NiCd / nickel-cadmium battery. Check the battery label to confirm.
Search RecycleFind for nearby battery, electronics, auto battery, or hazardous waste drop-off options.
Find Battery Recycling Near MeRead Battery Recycling GuideTake to a rechargeable battery drop-off site or household hazardous waste program.
How to prepare it for recycling or disposal
- 1Tape exposed terminals with clear packing tape or electrical tape.
- 2Keep loose NiCd batteries in a bag or non-metal container.
- 3Do not place NiCd batteries in curbside recycling carts.
Do not put these in curbside bins
- Lithium-ion batteries
- NiCd and NiMH rechargeable batteries
- Button cell and coin batteries
- Lead-acid car batteries
- Swollen, leaking, hot, or damaged batteries
Better drop-off options
- Battery recycling collection boxes
- Household hazardous waste events
- Electronics recycling centers
- Hardware and office supply stores
- Auto parts stores for lead-acid batteries
Nickel-cadmium batteries, often labeled NiCd, Ni-Cd, or nicad, are rechargeable batteries used in older power tools, emergency lighting, cordless phones, toys, and some medical equipment. They should not go in curbside recycling bins.
Use a battery recycling drop-off program or household hazardous waste event for NiCd battery disposal. Tape the terminals, keep damaged packs separate, and check local rules before transporting large quantities.
Rules vary by state and local program. Rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries, button cells, lead-acid batteries, and damaged batteries should be handled as special drop-off items because they can contain metals, corrosive materials, or fire risks.
Single-use alkaline batteries are accepted in household trash in many places, but recycling is still preferred when a local battery collection option is available.
Battery disposal: frequently asked questions
How do I recycle rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries usually need a store drop-off, battery recycling box, manufacturer take-back program, or household hazardous waste site. Tape exposed terminals before drop-off. Never put them in curbside recycling: sorting facilities are not equipped for them, and a damaged cell on a conveyor is a fire risk.
How do I dispose of swollen lithium-ion batteries?
Do not mail, crush, puncture, or place swollen lithium-ion batteries in regular trash. Put the battery in a non-metal container, keep it away from heat and anything flammable, and contact your local hazardous waste program. Swelling means the cell is generating gas internally, so treat it as damaged goods rather than ordinary waste, and call ahead because not every drop-off point accepts damaged cells.
Where can I recycle batteries near me?
Start with local recycling centers, household hazardous waste programs, hardware stores, electronics retailers, and battery collection boxes. Many chains host free drop-off bins near the entrance. You can also use RecycleFind to search for nearby drop-off locations, and it is worth calling first because chemistries accepted vary by site.
Can I throw regular alkaline batteries in the trash?
In most states yes, though it is not the best option. Mercury was removed from consumer alkaline batteries in the United States in the 1990s, so ordinary AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V cells are no longer classed as hazardous waste federally. California is the notable exception and treats all batteries as hazardous waste, and some municipalities have their own rules. Recycling still recovers steel, zinc, and manganese, so a drop-off box is better where one is convenient.
Why do I need to tape battery terminals?
Because a battery with even a little charge left can short circuit if its terminals touch metal or another battery, and a short generates heat fast enough to start a fire in a collection bin or truck. Nine-volt batteries are the biggest offender since both terminals sit side by side on the same face, which is why loose 9V cells in a junk drawer are a genuine hazard. Put clear tape over the contacts, or bag each battery individually.
How do I dispose of a car battery?
Take it back to a retailer or a scrap yard, and expect to be paid or refunded rather than charged. Lead-acid batteries have a well-established recycling system and are among the most recycled consumer products in the country. Most states require sellers to accept an old battery when you buy a new one, and many charge a core fee up front that you get back when you return the old one. Keep it upright and avoid contact with the acid.
What about button cell and coin batteries?
Recycle them rather than binning them, and store them out of reach of children in the meantime. Button cells can contain silver oxide or lithium and are worth recovering, and jewellers and some pharmacies accept silver oxide cells. The safety issue matters more than the recycling one: a swallowed coin cell can cause serious internal burns within hours, so treat a missing battery as an emergency and seek immediate medical help.
Related battery recycling resources
Car Battery Scrap Value
Compare a lead-acid battery's scrap-yard value with the retailer core refund.
Battery Recycling Guide
Browse battery types, safety tips, and recycling methods.
Electronics Recycling Guide
Prepare devices with rechargeable batteries safely and protect your data.
Is It Recyclable?
Search battery-related items and other household materials.
Find Recycling Centers
Search for drop-off locations and recycling facilities near you.