Battery Recycling and Disposal

Alkaline Batteries
These are your typical household batteries commonly found items like toys or flashlights. They vary in size and shape and are single use batteries. These batteries are not allowed in your regular trash containers for disposal at the landfill. They also should not be placed in your curbside recycle cart. Many electronic and hardware stores will accept them. Checkout Batterynetwork.org.

Rechargeable or Lithium Batteries
Rechargeable or multi-use lithium batteries often found in cellphones, laptops, e-bikes, cameras, toys and computers contain materials that must stay out of both recycle and trash containers. These batteries will ignite when crushed. Placing them in your curbside bins at home or in a dumpster puts collection crews at risk. They are the leading cause of truck fires in the garbage and recycling industry. Checkout Batterynetwork.org for more battery information, they also offer free local options for lithium and rechargeable battery recycling.

Button Batteries
Unfortunately, these small batteries found in watches or electronic devices contain a variety of recoverable, but hazardous materials and should be recycled at a proper facility. These facilities include hardware stores and battery stores like Batteries Plus. Button batteries should never be placed in your waste containers.

Car Batteries
Car batteries are one of the most recycled items in the U.S. Just like rechargeable or button batteries, they are not part of the curbside program but can be recycled at proper facilities like car dealerships and auto clinics.