When storing, transporting, or disposing of batteries, please use caution to keep them from short-circuiting, overheating, or sparking. For lithium-ion batteries, place each battery in a separate plastic bag. For all other household batteries, use tape across the ends to prevent battery ends from touching one another or striking against metal surfaces, then place in a plastic bag for disposal, or recycling. Damaged, Defective, and Recalled batteries require special handling and are not accepted in recycling programs, and should never be put in the trash; contact the manufacturer directly. Many home improvement, office supply, and electronics retailers offer drop-off battery recycling; check ahead to verify availability. For more information about battery recycling and to find drop-off locations, visit https://www.call2recycle.org/

Click here for a downloadable Battery Recycling and Disposal Guide.

Standard Alkaline and Carbon Zinc (“Heavy Duty”) Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V single-use, non-rechargeable) Recyclable at most home improvement and office supply stores – call ahead to verify availability. These may be placed in your household trash for regular disposal. Do NOT place these in recycling bins.

Button Batteries sometimes contain mercury. Even if they don’t, they likely contain other toxic and corrosive chemicals and are best disposed of as hazardous waste. 

Lithium/Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. These batteries (and devices that contain them, such as robotic vacuums, cordless tools, etc.) are extremely hazardous when placed in the trash as, batteries often get punctured or crushed during collection or processing, causing the battery to catch fire or explode. Take small-scale Lithium/Lithium-ion batteries to recycling sites (some office supply and home improvement stores offer recycling – call ahead to verify) or to a County Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. For large-scale Lithium/Lithium-ion batteries, contact the manufacturer for details on proper disposal/recycling options. To help prevent fires, tape battery terminals and/or place each lithium-ion battery in a separate plastic bag.

Nickel-Cadmium (“Ni-Cd”) dispose of as hazardous waste at a County Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.

Nickel-Metal Hydride (“Ni-Li” or “Ni-Hydride”) dispose of as hazardous waste at a County Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.

Small Sealed and Standard Lead Acid Batteries (AGM, SLA, Gel Cell) (vehicle, marine, lawn mower, motorcycle, etc.) Recycle free of charge at the Recycling Center at the Northern Landfill. These may sometimes be returned to the place of purchase and some battery retailers accept for recycling – call ahead to verify.

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