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Guide to Recycling Old Batteries
Safely dispose of and recycle different batteries to help protect the environment and prevent fires. Read our guide on throwing away old batteries.Byline: BTB Editor
March 1, 2024 / Time to read: 3 minutesEvery year, Americans purchase a staggering
Can you Throw Old Batteries in the Trash?
We recommend that you never recycle or throw away batteries at home. Tossing batteries in your household recycling or trash harms the environment and can be dangerous. Instead, dispose of batteries at a designated recycling site. Proper battery disposal prevents fires, protects the environment and keeps our community safe.
Improper Battery Disposal Leads to Fires and Pollution
Each year, improper battery disposal leads to hundreds of avoidable fires. In 2019,
Throwing away batteries at home also leads to pollution and overusing natural resources. Batteries are made from critical resources like lithium, cobalt and nickel that are hazardous to people and the environment if they seep into the ground or water sources. These resources can be used to make new batteries if they’re properly recycled.
Types of Batteries
Here’s what you should know about disposing of and properly recycling different types of old batteries:
- Alkaline and Zinc-Based Batteries: According to the EPA, it’s okay to throw away regular
alkaline and zinc-based batteries — the ones you might use in flashlights and remote controls. But sending them to a battery recycler is better for the environment. - Button Batteries: These small round batteries are often used in watches and medical devices. Because they often contain lithium, they can cause fires if damaged and should never be thrown away or recycled at home.
- Lithium and Lithium-Ion Batteries: The most popular type of batteries in electronic devices,
lithium batteries pose a significant fire risk if they are mishandled or improperly stored. They must be sent to specialized battery recyclers and should never be thrown away or recycled at home. - Rechargeable Batteries: These batteries and the devices they power should always be recycled. Remove the batteries if possible and recycle them separately. If the batteries can’t be removed, the entire device should be sent to an
electronic waste recycling site.
How to Dispose of Old Batteries
To protect our planet and help keep you safe, use these easy solutions that ensure proper battery disposal:
- Mail Back: Republic Services simplifies battery recycling with our user-friendly
mail back kit . Get a prepaid, prelabeled box and send your batteries to Republic Services. Thisservice is also available for electronics with lithium batteries . - Donate: Many local charities welcome working electronic devices that contain lithium batteries. Nationally recognized initiatives include
Cell Phones for Soldiers , offering free airtime to the armed forces, and the1Million Project , which bridges the internet gap for underprivileged students. - Drop Off at Local Collection Sites: Many of our centers routinely collect electronic waste, particularly during the spring and fall. For more options, search
Earth911 orCall2Recycle to find other drop-off points near you.
Corporate Recycling Solutions
We should all do our part to recycle batteries safely by sending them to battery recycling centers or donating working electronics to charitable organizations.
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For an in-depth guide on battery recycling, visit
