Lithium batteries power phones, laptops, tools and home energy systems. When they stop working, they still need careful handling. Keep lithium batteries and devices containing them out of household trash and curbside recycling. Use a battery or electronics collection program that accepts the item you have. EPA lithium-ion disposal guidance.
This ConvertGreen guide covers U.S. household disposal in 2026. Start with the battery's condition, then identify its type and the right collection route. The routine steps below are for small, intact batteries that are cool and show no warning signs. Damaged batteries and large systems need a different approach.
If a battery is hot or smoking
If a battery or device becomes unusually hot, emits smoke or gas, hisses, sparks or catches fire, do not touch it or try to move it. Leave the area, warn others and call 911 from a safe place. Do not try to tape, bag, remove or transport it for recycling. Treat suspected imminent fire risk as an emergency. Berkeley Fire safety guidance.
Quick guide to recycling intact household lithium batteries
- Identify it. Read the battery label or device manual. Shape and size alone do not tell you the chemistry. EPA household battery guidance.
- Check its condition. Stop using a battery with swelling, leakage, unusual odor, excessive heat or odd noises. Use the separate damaged-battery guidance below; active warning signs need the emergency response above. U.S. Fire Administration battery safety.
- Choose a collection site. Confirm that it accepts your exact battery type, size and condition before leaving home. The Battery Network locator.
- Protect intact batteries. Cover exposed terminals with nonconductive tape, such as electrical tape, or place each battery in its own plastic bag. Follow any additional collection-program instructions. EPA battery FAQ.
- Store briefly and safely. Keep prepared batteries cool and dry, away from heat and materials that can burn. Do not pile loose batteries together. The Battery Network handling guidance.
- Follow the site's transport instructions. If using a mail-back program, obtain its packaging and shipping directions first; do not improvise a shipment. U.S. Department of Transportation battery guidance.
Why lithium battery recycling matters
Recovering useful materials
Battery chemistry varies, but lithium-ion batteries can contain recoverable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. Recycling helps conserve resources and reduces the need for new materials, along with some of the energy use and pollution associated with making new products. Recovery depends on the battery and recycling process; there is no single recovery rate for every battery. EPA battery FAQ.
Reducing fire hazards
A battery that seems empty can still present a fire risk. Short circuits, physical damage and other failures can cause lithium batteries to overheat or ignite. In thermal runaway, a chain reaction releases heat and flammable gas and can spread to nearby batteries or combustible materials. Proper collection keeps batteries out of waste streams where they can be crushed or damaged. U.S. Department of Transportation battery guidance.
Identify the battery before choosing a disposal route
- Small rechargeable lithium-ion batteries appear in phones, laptops, headphones, power tools and other electronics. Some labels say Li-ion or Li-Po. If the battery is built into a device and is not intended for user removal, use an electronics program that accepts the whole device. Do not pry it out. EPA lithium-ion disposal guidance.
- Single-use lithium batteries, including some coin cells and familiar cylindrical sizes, also need a suitable battery collection route. Look for the word lithium. Keep coin cells out of children's reach. AA or AAA describes a size, not a chemistry; rechargeable cells can also use NiMH or other chemistries. EPA household battery guidance.
- E-bike, scooter and larger outdoor-equipment batteries need a program that accepts that category. The Battery Network has dedicated programs with brand and acceptance limits. Check those limits rather than treating these packs as ordinary small household batteries. The Battery Network accepted battery types.
- Portable power stations, installed home or solar batteries and EV traction batteries need manufacturer-specific arrangements. Contact the manufacturer or installer for home storage; contact the vehicle dealer or manufacturer for an EV pack. Do not dismantle or disconnect a large system yourself to fit a household collection box. EPA lithium-ion disposal guidance.
- Lead-acid batteries are a separate category, including many car starting batteries and some backup-power batteries. Return them to a battery retailer or an accepting household hazardous waste program. Follow the battery's warnings; do not put them in household trash or curbside recycling. EPA household battery guidance.
Damaged, swollen, defective or recalled batteries
Swelling, cracks, leaks, burn marks or other damage change the disposal route. If there are no active emergency signs, stop using or charging the item and contact its manufacturer or your local household hazardous waste program before handling, packing or transporting it. Describe the damage and ask for storage and collection instructions specific to that battery. Do not squeeze, puncture or attempt to repair it. The Battery Network damaged battery guidance. EPA battery FAQ.
Do not place damaged or defective lithium batteries in an ordinary retail battery-collection box. Some specially trained sites accept them through a separate process, so confirm acceptance and instructions in advance. For a recalled battery or device, follow the manufacturer's recall directions even if it looks normal. The Battery Network does not accept recalled batteries at its collection sites. The Battery Network safety guidance.
Do not apply the routine tape-and-bag steps to a hot, smoking or otherwise actively failing battery. Leave the area and call 911 from safety as described above. Berkeley Fire safety guidance.
How to find a battery collection location
National directories and local programs
The Battery Network, formerly Call2Recycle U.S., offers a ZIP-code locator. Check each site's accepted materials: household cells, single-use lithium batteries, e-bike packs and higher-energy batteries may have different destinations. A nearby listing does not mean that site accepts every battery. The Battery Network locator.
EPA also points consumers to the Earth911 recycling directory and local solid-waste or household hazardous waste programs. For a device with a built-in battery, ask whether the program accepts the entire product. EPA lithium-ion disposal guidance.
Retail collection points
Some retailers host battery collection, but acceptance depends on the location and program. Before visiting, ask: Do you accept this chemistry and size? Is the battery's condition acceptable? Should I bring the whole device? What preparation is required? Check opening hours, any fees and appointment requirements directly with the site. The Battery Network locator.
What not to do
- Do not put lithium batteries in household trash or curbside recycling, even when the label has a recycling symbol. EPA battery FAQ.
- Do not crush, puncture, dismantle or store loose batteries together. Never burn them or expose them to deliberate heat. The Battery Network handling guidance.
- Do not attempt a battery-pack repair. The U.S. Fire Administration directs those repairs to certified repair facilities. U.S. Fire Administration device safety handout.
- Do not mail a battery using guessed packaging or assume a recall return can travel like an ordinary parcel. Get the program's shipping instructions. U.S. Department of Transportation battery guidance.
Check state and local requirements
Battery rules and collection options vary by location and chemistry. Check your state or local waste authority's current guidance rather than relying on a nationwide list of store names. Ask your household hazardous waste program which batteries it accepts and how to prepare them. Outside the United States, use your local authority and the manufacturer's regional guidance. EPA household battery guidance.
Safe storage before recycling
For intact batteries only, isolate the terminals with nonconductive tape or individual bags. Keep the chemistry and brand readable so the collection site can identify them. The Battery Network requires bubble-wrap bags for soft-sided batteries; follow your chosen program's instructions for those cells. The Battery Network safety guidance.
Keep prepared batteries at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, hot vehicles and anything that can burn. Arrange recycling rather than building a long-term stockpile. If a battery's condition changes, stop routine handling and use the damaged-battery or emergency path above. U.S. Fire Administration battery safety.
Cardboard boxes and ordinary plastic tubs are combustible and must not be described as nonflammable or fireproof. A storage container does not remove the need to protect terminals, prevent damage and follow the receiving program's packaging instructions. Do not assume that an organizer or a bag will contain a battery fire or explosion.
Practical supplies and product claims
For intact small batteries, preparation may require only nonconductive tape or individual clear bags, plus any packaging specified by the collection program. These supplies help prevent contact between terminals; they are not fire-containment equipment. This guide does not recommend a particular storage bag, organizer or safety product. The Battery Network safety guidance.
For rechargeable devices still in use, follow the manufacturer's charging instructions and use the charger provided for that device. A generic smart-charger label does not establish compatibility. Do not keep charging a battery that is damaged or shows warning signs. U.S. Fire Administration device safety handout.
Make the next step simple
Identify the battery, check its condition and confirm the collection route before preparing it for disposal. Keep routine household recycling separate from damaged-battery handling and professional work on large systems. A confirmed destination and the right preparation are more useful than an unverified safety accessory.
Sources checked 11 October 2026. Follow the receiving program and manufacturer’s current instructions for your specific battery.
