How to dispose of batteries
Most batteries should not go in the trash. Rechargeable, lithium, button and car batteries can start fires in garbage trucks and contain metals that need recycling. Here is which batteries go where, how to pack them safely, and the rules in each state we cover.
- Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt)
- Allowed in the trash in most places, but not in California. Recycling is better.
- Rechargeable, lithium and button batteries
- Never in the trash or recycling bin. Use a store drop-off or a household hazardous waste program.
- Car batteries
- Return to any store that sells them, such as an auto parts store.
- Vapes and devices with built-in batteries
- Vapes go to a household hazardous waste site; other devices go to an electronics recycler.
- Damaged or swollen
- Bag it alone and call the maker or your household hazardous waste program first.
- Before you go
- Tape the ends of each battery, or bag each one separately.
Which batteries can go in the trash?
Look at the label for the battery type. If it says “lithium,” “Li-ion,” “rechargeable,” “NiMH” or “NiCd,” keep it out of the trash.
| Battery type | Common uses | Trash? | Where to take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkaline and carbon-zinc (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) | Remotes, flashlights, clocks, toys | Allowed in most places, but not in California | EPA recommends a battery recycler or your local program. Some household hazardous waste programs and stores take them; many do not. |
| Lithium-ion (rechargeable) | Phones, laptops, tablets, power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters | No | Store drop-off in The Battery Network, or a household hazardous waste program |
| Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) | Rechargeable AA and AAA, cordless phones, older power tools | No | Store drop-off in The Battery Network, or a household hazardous waste program |
| Lithium single-use, coin and button cells | Cameras, watches, key fobs, hearing aids, smoke detectors | No | A household hazardous waste program or a store drop-off that takes them. Keep away from children: they are a swallowing hazard. |
| Lead-acid car batteries | Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles | No (banned from the trash in Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania) | Any store that sells car batteries, such as an auto parts store, or a household hazardous waste program |
| Vapes, e-cigarettes and devices with built-in batteries | Disposable vapes, toothbrushes, earbuds, toys, laptops | No | Vapes: a household hazardous waste site. Other devices: an electronics recycler or a store take-back program. |
| Damaged, swollen or leaking batteries | Any type | No | Call the battery or device maker, or your household hazardous waste program, before you bring it |
Based on EPA guidance on household batteries. Your state or town may be stricter: see By state.
Why batteries start fires
Batteries can have enough energy to injure or start fires even when they are used up and look dead, according to the EPA. In the trash or a recycling bin they get crushed in trucks and sorting machines, and the ends can touch metal or each other. Lithium batteries are the biggest risk. CalRecycle says batteries are the top cause of fires in California’s waste facilities.
Before you go: tape and bag
- Put non-conductive tape, such as electrical or masking tape, over the ends (terminals) of each battery. For button and coin cells, tape over the whole battery.
- Or put each battery, or each device with a battery inside, in its own plastic bag.
- Store used batteries in a dry place, away from anything that burns and out of reach of children.
- Do not try to take apart a device to remove a built-in battery. The EPA notes that not all batteries are meant to be removed by the user.
- Call the drop-off site first to check that it takes your type of battery, and ask about any fee.
Where to take batteries
- Household hazardous waste programs: 304 programs we list in California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas accept batteries. Each listing quotes which types it takes; some take only rechargeable or car batteries.
- Store drop-off: The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle) runs free drop-off bins at many hardware, electronics and office supply stores. Most take common household and rechargeable batteries; check each location’s details on the Battery Network locator.
- Car batteries: any store that sells car batteries, such as an auto parts store, usually takes old ones. Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania law require it. Call first.
- Phones, laptops and other devices: an electronics recycler or a store take-back program. The EPA recommends certified electronics recyclers.
By state
| State | Battery stewardship program | Battery rules in brief |
|---|---|---|
| California | Coming | All batteries are banned from the trash, including AA and AAA. 107 California programs we list take batteries. |
| Delaware | No | No state battery law. DSWA takes household batteries for recycling. 5 Delaware programs we list take batteries. |
| Florida | Partly | Small rechargeable nickel-cadmium and sealed lead-acid batteries are banned from the trash; car batteries are banned from landfills. 70 Florida programs we list take batteries. |
| Maryland | Partly | Small rechargeable nickel-cadmium and sealed lead batteries are banned from the trash. 7 Maryland programs we list take batteries. |
| New Jersey | Partly | Nickel-cadmium and sealed lead rechargeable batteries are banned from the trash; alkaline batteries may go in the trash. 10 New Jersey programs we list take batteries. |
| New York | Yes | Rechargeable batteries are banned from the trash, and stores that sell them must take them back. 10 New York programs we list take batteries. |
| Pennsylvania | No | Car batteries are banned from the trash; alkaline batteries may go in the trash. 9 Pennsylvania programs we list take batteries. |
| Texas | No | Car batteries are banned from the trash, and stores that sell them must take used ones. 86 Texas programs we list take batteries. |
| All other states | Varies | Local household hazardous waste programs (state pages coming) |
“Partly” means only some battery types are covered. Counts are household hazardous waste programs on this site whose official accepted-items list includes batteries. Each state’s page has its full battery rules, where to take them and official sources.
What the sites we list say about batteries
Quoted from each site’s official accepted-items list.
| Site | Battery rules (official wording) |
|---|---|
| Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility - Oakland Alameda County, CA | Accepted: Batteries (household, rechargeable, lithium up to 5 lbs, automotive lead-acid) |
| Santa Maria household hazardous waste Facility at Santa Maria Regional Landfill Santa Barbara County, CA | Accepted: Antifreeze, batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, button, 9-volt, lithium-ion), fluorescent bulbs, household cleaners, paints and paint thinners, pesticides, photo chemicals, starter fluids, used motor oil and filters |
| Pumice Valley Landfill and Transfer Station Mono County, CA | Accepted: household and car batteries (no EV batteries) |
| DSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Delaware Recycling Center) New Castle County, DE | Accepted: auto batteries |
| DSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Cheswold Collection Station) Kent County, DE | Accepted: auto batteries |
| DSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Jones Crossroads Landfill) Sussex County, DE | Accepted: auto batteries |
| Hillsborough County Sheldon Road Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site Hillsborough County, FL | Accepted: Lead acid batteries Accepted: power tool and loose batteries (rechargeable lithium-ion, Ni-Cd, NiMH, single-use lithium) Not accepted: Alkaline batteries |
| SWA Home Chemical & Recycling Center - West Palm Beach Palm Beach County, FL | Accepted: batteries (lithium, button, rechargeable, automotive, marine) Not accepted: EV batteries |
| Brevard County household hazardous waste Collection Center - Central Disposal Facility Brevard County, FL | Accepted: auto/boat batteries Accepted: rechargeable batteries (Ni-cad, lithium/button) Not accepted: Alkaline batteries (trash) |
| Shady Grove Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Montgomery County, MD | Accepted: rechargeable batteries Accepted: button batteries Accepted: lithium batteries Accepted: car batteries |
| Alpha Ridge Landfill Household Hazardous Waste Collection Howard County, MD | Accepted: rechargeable batteries Accepted: button batteries Accepted: lithium batteries |
| Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility (Household Hazardous Waste) Baltimore County, MD | Accepted: rechargeable batteries Accepted: lead acid batteries |
| Middlesex County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day (Middlesex College, Edison) Middlesex County, NJ | Accepted: car batteries Accepted: rechargeable and button cell batteries (bag each battery or tape the terminals) Not accepted: alkaline batteries (regular trash) |
| MCMUA Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Mt. Olive Transfer Station) Morris County, NJ | Accepted: lead-acid batteries (car, boat, motorcycle, ATV) Accepted: rechargeable batteries (NiCd, NiMH, lithium-ion) and button-cell and lithium batteries |
| SCMUA Recycling Center and Resident’s Convenience Center (motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, propane) Sussex County, NJ | Accepted: household rechargeable batteries (lithium-ion, no e-bike batteries) Accepted: car batteries Not accepted: alkaline batteries (household trash) Limit: household batteries under 300 Wh |
| DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Site - Brooklyn (Greenpoint) Kings County, NY | Accepted: batteries (automotive, rechargeable and single-use) |
| Town of Huntington Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility Suffolk County, NY | Accepted: automotive batteries Accepted: button batteries |
| Westchester County Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) Westchester County, NY | Accepted: rechargeable batteries |
| LCSWMA Household Hazardous Waste Facility Lancaster County, PA | Accepted: batteries (automotive and household) Not accepted: Electric vehicle batteries |
| Lackawanna County Household Hazardous Waste Collection (The Pavilion at Montage Mountain) Lackawanna County, PA | Accepted: automotive, household and lithium batteries Not accepted: Electric vehicle batteries |
| Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Facility Harris County, TX | Accepted: batteries (small to car battery size) |
| Frisco household hazardous waste drop-off (6616 Walnut St) Collin County, TX | Accepted: batteries Accepted: rechargeable batteries Limit: lithium-ion batteries over 40 Ah or 20 lb need a call first |
| Greenville household hazardous waste drop-off (3108 Sockwell Blvd) Hunt County, TX | Accepted: batteries (household, rechargeable, cell phone, automotive, boat) |
FAQ
Can I throw batteries in the trash?
Only ordinary single-use alkaline and carbon-zinc batteries, and only where your state and town allow it. The EPA says most communities allow it; California bans all batteries from the trash. Never put rechargeable, lithium, button or car batteries, or vapes, in the trash or recycling bin.
Why do batteries cause fires?
Batteries can hold enough energy to start a fire even when they seem dead, the EPA says. In a garbage truck or recycling plant they get crushed or their ends touch metal, and lithium batteries can spark. CalRecycle calls batteries the top cause of fires at California waste facilities.
How do I get batteries ready to drop off?
Put non-conductive tape, such as electrical or masking tape, over the ends (terminals) of each battery, or put each one in its own plastic bag. Keep them in a dry place away from anything that burns, and out of reach of children, until you drop them off.
Where can I recycle batteries for free?
Most stores in The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle) take household rechargeable batteries at no charge; use its locator at batterynetwork.org/locator. New York requires any store that sells rechargeable batteries to take up to 10 a day. Many household hazardous waste programs, including 304 of the programs we list, accept batteries; check each listing for the types it takes.
What do I do with a swollen or damaged battery?
Bag it by itself, keep it away from anything that burns, and call the battery or device maker for handling instructions, as the EPA and Pennsylvania DEP advise. Call your household hazardous waste program before you bring it in to check that it takes damaged batteries.
How do I get rid of a disposable vape?
Do not put vapes or e-cigarettes in the trash or recycling bin. The EPA says to take them to a household hazardous waste collection site, which is usually free for residents. They hold both a lithium battery and nicotine.
Where do I take an old car battery?
Back to any store that sells car batteries, such as an auto parts store, or to a household hazardous waste program that lists car batteries. Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania law require stores that sell lead-acid batteries to take used ones back.