By Carolina Curiel
Published October 18, 2026
A dead AA battery, a rechargeable power-tool pack and an electric-vehicle battery may all be called “batteries,” but they do not belong in the same collection system. Chemistry, size, condition and whether the battery can be removed from its device all affect where it should go at end of life.
Batteries can retain enough energy to spark or start a fire even when they appear dead. Lithium batteries are particularly dangerous when crushed, punctured, bent or short-circuited during waste collection and sorting.
- Battery type and chemistry determine the correct recycling or disposal route.
- Lithium, lithium-ion, rechargeable and lead-acid batteries should not go in household trash or municipal recycling bins.
- EPA says ordinary alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can go in household trash in most U.S. communities, but recommends recycling them where a program is available.
- Lithium batteries should have their terminals protected with nonconductive tape or be individually bagged before routine transport to an appropriate collection site.
- Damaged, swollen or recalled lithium batteries need special handling and should not be placed in a normal battery collection box.
Where Can I Recycle Batteries?
Battery recycling options commonly include participating retailers, permanent battery drop-off locations, household hazardous waste facilities, municipal collection events, electronics recyclers, automotive retailers and manufacturer take-back programs.
But not every collection location accepts every battery.
A retailer that takes rechargeable AA batteries may not accept an e-bike battery. An electronics recycler that accepts laptops may handle an embedded lithium-ion battery differently from a loose power-tool pack. A household hazardous waste program may accept chemistries that a retail collection box excludes.
For that reason, identify the battery first and confirm acceptance before visiting.
RecyclingMonster's Battery Recycling Centers directory provides battery recycling locations across the United States and Canada. You can also search by specific item and location through Recycle an Item.
Battery Recycling Guide by Type
| Battery Type | Common Examples | Best End-of-Life Route | Curbside Recycling? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline & Zinc-Carbon | AA, AAA, C, D, many 9-volt batteries | Battery recycler or local program where available. In most U.S. communities, EPA says these may be placed in household trash, but recycling is recommended. | No |
| Lithium Single-Use | Cameras, watches, smoke detectors, remotes | Dedicated battery recycler, participating retailer or household hazardous waste program. | No |
| Button & Coin Cells | Watches, key fobs, hearing devices, calculators, medical devices | Battery recycler, participating retailer or household hazardous waste program. Route depends on chemistry. | No |
| Lithium-Ion Rechargeable | Phones, laptops, cameras, power tools, tablets, headphones | Dedicated battery recycler, appropriate retailer, electronics recycler or household hazardous waste program. | Never |
| Ni-Cd, Ni-MH & Ni-Zn Rechargeable | Power tools, cordless phones, cameras, radios, small electronics | Battery recycling location, participating retailer or household hazardous waste program. | Never |
| Small Sealed Lead-Acid | UPS backups, mobility equipment, emergency lighting, ride-on toys | Battery retailer, qualified battery recycler or household hazardous waste program. | Never |
| Automotive Lead-Acid | Cars, motorcycles, boats, ATVs and similar vehicles | Return to a battery retailer, auto dealer, automotive shop or appropriate household hazardous waste program. | Never |
| E-Bike & High-Energy Lithium | E-bikes, e-scooters and other mobility products | Use a manufacturer, participating retailer or collection program specifically approved for that battery. | Never |
| EV & Large Energy-Storage Batteries | Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, home and commercial energy-storage systems | Contact the vehicle dealer, manufacturer, qualified automotive service provider or energy-storage installer. | Never |
Can Alkaline AA and AAA Batteries Be Recycled?
Yes. Some battery recyclers and local programs accept alkaline batteries, including common AA and AAA cells.
However, their disposal rules differ from lithium and rechargeable batteries.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that ordinary alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can be safely placed in household trash in most U.S. communities. EPA nevertheless recommends sending them to a battery recycler where a practical collection option is available.
State and local requirements can be stricter, so never assume household-trash disposal is permitted everywhere.
Rechargeable Ni-MH, Ni-Cd or lithium batteries can have the same familiar cylindrical shape as an alkaline battery. Read the label and chemistry before deciding what to do with it.
Where Should Lithium Single-Use Batteries Go?
Lithium-metal batteries are single-use batteries rather than rechargeable lithium-ion cells.
They are used in products such as cameras, watches, handheld electronics, remote controls and some smoke detectors.
EPA says lithium single-use batteries should not be put into household trash or municipal recycling.
Take them to a specialized battery recycler, an appropriate retailer take-back program or a household hazardous waste collection facility.
Before normal transport to a collection point, protect the terminals with nonconductive tape or place individual batteries into separate plastic bags to reduce the risk of a short circuit.
How Do I Recycle Button and Coin Batteries?
Button and coin batteries are small round cells found in watches, calculators, hearing devices, keyless-entry remotes, medical devices and other compact electronics.
Their chemistry varies.
Many modern coin batteries use lithium metal, while other button cells can use different chemistries. That is why the correct route should be based on the battery marking rather than simply its shape.
EPA recommends specialized battery recyclers, participating retailer take-back programs or household hazardous waste collection programs.
For lithium button or coin cells, protect against terminal contact before transport.
Where Can I Recycle Rechargeable Batteries?
Rechargeable batteries include several chemistries commonly found in household electronics and tools:
- Lithium-ion, or Li-ion
- Nickel-cadmium, or Ni-Cd
- Nickel-metal hydride, or Ni-MH
- Nickel-zinc, or Ni-Zn
- Small sealed lead-acid batteries
EPA advises that rechargeable batteries should not be put into household garbage or municipal recycling bins.
Instead, use an appropriate battery recycler, participating retailer or household hazardous waste program.
In the United States, The Battery Network — formerly Call2Recycle U.S. — operates a nationwide drop-off network. Individual collection locations accept different battery types, so its locator requires users to identify the battery before selecting a destination.
RecyclingMonster users can also search the Battery Recycling Centers directory and confirm acceptance directly with the facility.
Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Must Stay Out of Recycling Bins
Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most important battery types to separate from the municipal waste stream.
They power cellphones, laptops, tablets, wireless headphones, power tools, cameras, toys and a growing range of household products.
When a lithium-ion battery enters an ordinary recycling truck or materials recovery facility, it can be compressed, punctured or crushed. Damage can cause the battery to short circuit, heat rapidly or ignite.
EPA therefore directs households to use dedicated battery collection, electronics recycling or household hazardous waste channels instead.
RecyclingMonster's guide to how materials recovery facilities work explains why ordinary sorting plants are not designed to process loose batteries.
How Should I Prepare Lithium Batteries for Recycling?
Before transporting an ordinary, undamaged lithium battery to an appropriate recycling location:
- Identify the battery. Check the label or product documentation for the chemistry.
- Protect the terminals. EPA recommends covering exposed terminals with nonconductive tape or individually bagging batteries.
- Keep the chemistry label visible. Collection staff need to know what type of battery they are receiving.
- Protect the battery from damage. Do not crush, bend, puncture or expose it to excessive heat.
- Confirm the collection site. Make sure the facility accepts that particular battery type and size.
The Battery Network's current U.S. consumer guidance similarly calls for lithium and other specified rechargeable batteries to have terminals protected before drop-off. It notes that acceptance of primary single-use batteries varies by collection partner.
What Should I Do With a Battery That Is Swollen or Damaged?
A swollen, leaking, punctured, burned, recalled or otherwise damaged lithium battery requires additional care.
Damaged lithium batteries can have different packaging, storage and transportation requirements. Contact the battery or device manufacturer, an appropriate household hazardous waste program, or a battery recycler equipped to manage damaged batteries for instructions.
The Battery Network specifically states that damaged or defective batteries should not be placed in its standard collection boxes. Availability of trained collection locations depends on the jurisdiction.
Do not puncture a swollen battery to make it smaller, and do not continue charging or using a device with a visibly damaged battery.
What If the Battery Is Built Into a Phone, Laptop or Device?
Many modern devices contain lithium-ion batteries that are difficult for consumers to remove safely.
Do not pry open a device or puncture a battery merely to separate it for recycling.
EPA says devices containing non-removable rechargeable batteries can be taken intact to certified electronics recyclers, participating retailer take-back programs, electronics collection programs or appropriate household hazardous waste facilities.
For the complete preparation process, see RecyclingMonster's Electronics Recycling Guide.
Where Do Power-Tool Batteries Go?
Cordless drills, saws, lawn equipment and other rechargeable tools commonly use lithium-ion, Ni-Cd or Ni-MH battery packs.
These batteries should not go in the trash or municipal recycling.
Battery retailers, hardware stores, tool retailers and dedicated battery-recycling programs may accept qualifying packs, but acceptance varies by program and battery size.
Check the chemistry and watt-hour rating on the pack and confirm that the selected collection site accepts it.
Where Can I Recycle a Car Battery?
Traditional automotive starting batteries are generally lead-acid batteries.
They have one of the most established battery recovery systems in the United States.
EPA says consumers should return lead-acid batteries to battery retailers, automobile dealers or household hazardous waste programs rather than placing them in trash or municipal recycling.
Retail collection is widespread because many states use a return or core-charge system when replacement batteries are purchased.
EPA reports that the U.S. collection network has historically achieved extremely high recycling rates for lead-acid batteries, supported by retailer take-back, state requirements and the value of the recovered lead and plastic.
Because the batteries contain lead and corrosive sulfuric acid, follow all warnings on the battery and keep it upright and protected during transport.
Can E-Bike Batteries Go to a Regular Battery Drop-Off?
Not necessarily.
E-bike, e-scooter and other mobility batteries are larger lithium-ion packs and may exceed the size or energy limits of ordinary retail collection programs.
The Battery Network operates a specialized U.S. e-bike battery program, but participating brands and locations determine eligibility.
Before transporting an e-bike battery:
- Check the manufacturer or bicycle retailer first.
- Use a collection program specifically approved for e-bike batteries.
- Do not place the pack into a general battery box unless the program explicitly permits it.
- Seek special instructions for a damaged, swollen or recalled pack.
Where Do Electric-Vehicle Batteries Go?
An electric-vehicle traction battery is not a household drop-off item.
These large, high-voltage lithium-ion systems require trained handling and specialized logistics.
EPA recommends contacting the automobile dealer, qualified repair shop, manufacturer or salvage operation managing the vehicle.
Consumers should not attempt to dismantle an EV battery pack or transport it as if it were a small portable battery.
What About Home Energy-Storage Batteries?
Home battery systems and other stationary energy-storage equipment also require a specialized end-of-life route.
EPA recommends contacting the battery or energy-storage manufacturer or the company that installed the system.
Because of their size, electrical connections and stored energy, these batteries should not be removed or handled as ordinary household batteries unless the manufacturer specifically provides a safe consumer procedure.
U.S. Battery Recycling: Where to Start
- Search RecyclingMonster's Battery Recycling Centers.
- Use your city or county household hazardous waste program.
- Check battery, electronics, automotive and hardware retailers for take-back.
- Use The Battery Network's current locator for participating U.S. battery drop-off sites.
- For embedded batteries, use an electronics recycling or device take-back program.
- For vehicle or energy-storage batteries, contact the dealer, manufacturer or installer.
Collection rules are not uniform across the country. Battery laws and stewardship programs differ by state, and individual locations may accept only selected chemistries.
Battery Recycling in Canada
The consumer collection system is different in Canada.
Call2Recycle continues to operate under the Call2Recycle name in Canada even though its U.S. organization rebranded as The Battery Network in January 2026.
Call2Recycle Canada operates its Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! household battery program through thousands of participating collection sites nationwide.
The organization reported that Canadians recycled more than 8 million kilograms of batteries through its programs in 2025, its highest annual collection volume to that point.
Provincial programs and accepted products vary, so Canadians should use the current provincial or national locator and confirm the battery type before drop-off.
Special programs also exist for certain e-mobility batteries, and Québec expanded collection for qualifying battery-powered products in 2026.
Why Battery Recycling Matters
Batteries contain materials that can be recovered for further use.
Depending on the chemistry, these can include lead, nickel, cobalt, lithium and other metals, along with steel and plastics.
Lithium-ion batteries also contain materials that the U.S. government classifies as critical minerals. When a battery is discarded into an ordinary waste stream, those materials can be lost while creating an avoidable safety risk.
Specialized recycling allows batteries to be identified, sorted and processed using methods designed for their chemistry.
What Happens to a Battery After Collection?
Battery recycling differs by chemistry, so there is no single process used for every battery.
In general, collected batteries are identified and sorted before being transported to processors equipped for the relevant chemistry.
Lead-acid batteries can be broken down so lead, plastic and other components can be recovered for new products. Lithium-ion batteries may be discharged, dismantled, shredded or otherwise mechanically processed before valuable battery materials are concentrated for additional recovery.
EPA notes that lithium-ion recycling commonly includes collection and sorting followed by physical processing and additional metallurgical steps that recover battery materials.
The specific process depends on the battery type, recycler and downstream facility.
Seven Battery Recycling Mistakes to Avoid
1. Putting Batteries in Curbside Recycling
A battery may be recyclable without being compatible with a municipal recycling cart.
2. Treating Every AA Battery the Same
Alkaline, Ni-MH and lithium batteries can share a similar shape but require different management.
3. Leaving Lithium Terminals Exposed
Terminals can contact metal or other batteries and create a short circuit during storage or transportation.
4. Putting a Swollen Battery in a Collection Box
Damaged and defective batteries require special handling.
5. Forcing an Embedded Battery Out
Take an intact device to an electronics recycler when consumer removal is not safe or intended.
6. Assuming Every Retailer Accepts Every Battery
Battery chemistry, size and program participation determine what each location can accept.
7. Treating E-Bike or EV Packs Like Small Batteries
Larger lithium systems require programs designed for their energy, size and transportation requirements.
How to Find a Battery Recycler Near You
Start by reading the battery label. Look for its chemistry — such as alkaline, lithium, Li-ion, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd or lead-acid — and determine whether it is removable from the device.
Then:
- Search RecyclingMonster's Battery Recycling Centers.
- Use Recycle an Item for a specific battery or battery-powered product.
- Check your municipality's household hazardous waste options.
- Check appropriate retailer and manufacturer take-back programs.
- Confirm acceptance before traveling.
Do not rely only on a general statement that a business “recycles batteries.” Ask whether it accepts the exact chemistry, size and condition you have.
Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Recycling
Can batteries go in the recycling bin?
Most batteries should not go into a standard municipal recycling bin. Lithium, rechargeable and lead-acid batteries require a dedicated collection route because they can create safety problems during ordinary waste and recycling processing.
Can alkaline batteries go in the trash?
EPA says ordinary alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can go in household trash in most U.S. communities, although it recommends recycling them where an appropriate program is available. State and local rules can be stricter.
Where can I recycle lithium-ion batteries?
Use a dedicated battery recycler, participating retailer, electronics recycler or household hazardous waste program that accepts lithium-ion batteries. Do not put them in household trash or curbside recycling.
Should I tape battery terminals before recycling?
For lithium batteries and specified rechargeable batteries, terminal protection can prevent short circuits. EPA recommends nonconductive tape over exposed terminals or placing individual lithium batteries in separate plastic bags.
Where can I recycle a car battery?
Automotive lead-acid batteries can typically be returned to battery retailers, automotive dealers or appropriate household hazardous waste programs. They should not go into trash or municipal recycling.
Primary Sources and Verification
This guide was reviewed against current battery-recycling and battery-safety guidance available on October 18, 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Used Household Batteries
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Frequent Questions on Lithium-Ion Batteries
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Lead-Acid Battery Collection Network
- The Battery Network — Battery Types, Safety and U.S. Drop-Off Locator
- Call2Recycle Canada — Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! and Current Battery Programs
Last verified: October 18, 2026.