Used Household Batteries

Find information about the types of batteries used in households and how to manage them when they are no longer needed.

Certain batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. This page can inform you on how to manage these batteries safely. Waste batteries can always be recycled or taken to household hazardous waste collection points.

To prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries, tape battery terminals and/or place batteries in separate plastic bags and never put these batteries in household garbage or recycling bins.

On this page:

Background

Find a Recycling Location Near You

Every year in the United States, millions of single use and rechargeable batteries are bought, used and recycled or disposed of in the trash. Batteries come in various chemistries, types and sizes to fit their use.

Single-use batteries can generally be removed from the device when they stop powering the device.
Rechargeable batteries may be removable or permanently attached to the device.

The increased demand for batteries can be traced largely to the rapid increase in use of small portable electronics, power tools, and other everyday items, as well as the increase in “smart” products, such as small and large appliances and automobiles.

Used Lithium-Ion Batteries

Learn more about these batteries and their proper management.

Single-Use Batteries

Type	Uses and Description	Disposal
Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon	These common everyday batteries can be used in products such as alarm clocks, calculators, flashlights, TV remote controls, radios, remote-control products, children’s toys and other items. For example, some common alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries include 9 Volt, AA, AAA, C, D and some button cells.	Some reclamation companies recycle these batteries; check with your local or state solid waste authority for management options. In most communities, alkaline and zinc carbon batteries can be safely put in your household trash. EPA recommendation: send used alkaline and zinc carbon batteries to battery recyclers or check with your local or state solid waste authority.
Button-Cell or Coin	These small, round batteries have historically contained silver, cadmium, mercury or other heavy metals as their main component. Today, the majority are made of lithium metal. These batteries are commonly used in products such as watches, hearing aids, car keyless entry remotes, medical devices and calculators.	Button-cell or coin batteries can be a potential swallowing hazard; store them out of the reach of young children. Management requirements are based on the battery’s chemistry. They can be brought to specialized battery recyclers, participating retailers that provide battery takeback services or local household hazardous waste collection programs. Contact the manufacturer or local solid waste authority for additional management options. Handling precautions:Place each battery in separate plastic bags or place non-conductive tape (e.g., electrical tape) over the battery’s terminals or around the entire button. A lithium battery may spark and cause fires if damaged or the terminal ends touch. If the battery becomes damaged, contact the manufacturer for specific handling information. EPA recommendation: Check for the word “lithium” marked on the battery. Do not put button-cell, coin, or lithium single use batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins. Find a recycling location near you: Lithium single-use Button-cell or coin
Lithium Single-Use	These common batteries are made with lithium (Li) metal and are single-use and non-rechargeable They are used in products such as cameras, watches, remote controls, handheld games and smoke detectors. These batteries may be difficult to distinguish from common alkaline batteries, but may also have specialized shapes for specific equipment, such as some types of cameras and calculators.

Type

Uses and Description

Disposal

Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon

These common everyday batteries can be used in products such as alarm clocks, calculators, flashlights, TV remote controls, radios, remote-control products, children’s toys and other items.
For example, some common alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries include 9 Volt, AA, AAA, C, D and some button cells.

Some reclamation companies recycle these batteries; check with your local or state solid waste authority for management options. In most communities, alkaline and zinc carbon batteries can be safely put in your household trash.

EPA recommendation: send used alkaline and zinc carbon batteries to battery recyclers or check with your local or state solid waste authority.

Button-Cell or Coin

These small, round batteries have historically contained silver, cadmium, mercury or other heavy metals as their main component.
Today, the majority are made of lithium metal. These batteries are commonly used in products such as watches, hearing aids, car keyless entry remotes, medical devices and calculators.

Button-cell or coin batteries can be a potential swallowing hazard; store them out of the reach of young children.

Management requirements are based on the battery’s chemistry. They can be brought to specialized battery recyclers, participating retailers that provide battery takeback services or local household hazardous waste collection programs. Contact the manufacturer or local solid waste authority for additional management options.

Handling precautions:Place each battery in separate plastic bags or place non-conductive tape (e.g., electrical tape) over the battery’s terminals or around the entire button. A lithium battery may spark and cause fires if damaged or the terminal ends touch. If the battery becomes damaged, contact the manufacturer for specific handling information.

EPA recommendation: Check for the word “lithium” marked on the battery. Do not put button-cell, coin, or lithium single use batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins. Find a recycling location near you:

Lithium Single-Use

These common batteries are made with lithium (Li) metal and are single-use and non-rechargeable
They are used in products such as cameras, watches, remote controls, handheld games and smoke detectors.
These batteries may be difficult to distinguish from common alkaline batteries, but may also have specialized shapes for specific equipment, such as some types of cameras and calculators.

Rechargeable Batteries

Type	Uses and Description	Disposal
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)	These batteries are typically used in cordless power tools, cordless phones, digital and video cameras, two-way radios, bio-medical equipment and video cameras. They may look like single-use AA, AAA or other alkaline batteries or a battery pack shaped for specific tools.	Removable batteries:Removable rechargeable batteries can be brought to specialized battery recyclers, participating retailers that provide battery takeback services, or local household hazardous waste collection programs. Contact the manufacturer or your local household waste authority for other management options. Non-removable batteries contained in electronic devices: Entire devices can be brought to certified electronics recyclers, participating retailers that provide electronics takeback services, or local electronics or household hazardous waste collection programs. Handling precautions:Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place non-conductive tape (e.g., electrical tape) over the battery’s terminals. Handle any damaged battery with care and appropriate personal protective equipment. If a lithium-ion battery becomes damaged, contact the battery or device manufacturer for specific handling information. EPA recommendation: Look for labels identifying battery chemistry. Do not put rechargeable batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins. Find a recycling location near you: Ni-Cd Li-ion Ni-MH Ni-Zn Pb
Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)	Commonly found in older cellphones, power tools, digital cameras, laptops, children’s toys, e-cigarettes, small and large appliances, tablets and e-readers. Some Li-ion batteries are not easily removed from the product and can become problematic as a fire hazard if they are broken, bent or crushed.
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)	Commonly found in cellphones, cordless power tools, digital cameras and two-way radios. These batteries are not as common as they once were.
Nickel-Zinc (Ni-Zn)	Commonly found in digital cameras, wireless keyboards and small electronics.
Small-Sealed Lead Acid (Pb)	Commonly found in mobility scooters, children’s toy cars, emergency lighting and hospital equipment. Also used for backup power in residential landline phones and uninterruptable power supplies for computers.

Automotive Batteries

There are several types and applications of batteries used in vehicles today. There are automotive starting batteries used with internal combustion engines, large electric vehicle battery packs that power the vehicle and small batteries that power accessories such as remote door locks or back up the computer’s memory.

Type	Uses and Description	Disposal
Lead-Acid	Lead-acid batteries may contain up to 18 pounds of lead and about one gallon of corrosive lead-contaminated sulfuric acid. They can be used as either an engine starting battery or automotive power battery that moves the vehicle. They can be found in automobiles, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, wheelchairs, and other large transportation vehicles. They may also be used in non-automotive situations such as backup power in basem*nt sump-pumps or as uninterruptible power supplies for computers or other critical equipment.	Return to the battery retailer or your local solid or household hazardous waste collection program. Handling precaution: Contains sulfuric acid and lead. When handling the battery, follow all warnings and instructions on the battery. EPA recommendation: Return lead-acid batteries to a battery retailer or local household hazardous waste collection program; do not put lead-acid batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins.
Medium and Large-Scale Li-ion	Most of today’s plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles and energy storage (on and off-grid) use Li-ion batteries to either store power for the hybrid system or to power the electric motor that moves the vehicle. These batteries are also used for energy storage systems that can be installed in buildings.	Because of the size and complexity of these battery systems, medium and large-scale Li-ion batteries may not be able to be removed by the consumer. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and heed warnings and safety instructions. Automobile: Contact the automobile dealer, shop or salvage yard where the battery was purchased. Energy Storage: Contact the energy storage equipment manufacturer or company that installed the battery. EPA recommendation: Contact the manufacturer, automobile dealer or company that installed the Li-ion battery for management options; do not put in the trash or municipal recycling bins.

Type

Uses and Description

Disposal

Lead-Acid

Lead-acid batteries may contain up to 18 pounds of lead and about one gallon of corrosive lead-contaminated sulfuric acid.
They can be used as either an engine starting battery or automotive power battery that moves the vehicle.
They can be found in automobiles, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, wheelchairs, and other large transportation vehicles.
They may also be used in non-automotive situations such as backup power in basem*nt sump-pumps or as uninterruptible power supplies for computers or other critical equipment.

Return to the battery retailer or your local solid or household hazardous waste collection program.

Handling precaution: Contains sulfuric acid and lead. When handling the battery, follow all warnings and instructions on the battery.

EPA recommendation: Return lead-acid batteries to a battery retailer or local household hazardous waste collection program; do not put lead-acid batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins.

Medium and Large-Scale Li-ion

Most of today’s plug-in and hybrid electric vehicles and energy storage (on and off-grid) use Li-ion batteries to either store power for the hybrid system or to power the electric motor that moves the vehicle.
These batteries are also used for energy storage systems that can be installed in buildings.

Because of the size and complexity of these battery systems, medium and large-scale Li-ion batteries may not be able to be removed by the consumer. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and heed warnings and safety instructions.

Automobile: Contact the automobile dealer, shop or salvage yard where the battery was purchased.
Energy Storage: Contact the energy storage equipment manufacturer or company that installed the battery.

EPA recommendation: Contact the manufacturer, automobile dealer or company that installed the Li-ion battery for management options; do not put in the trash or municipal recycling bins.

Federal Battery Laws

Public Law 104-142: The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act: This law was enacted to phase out the use of mercury-containing batteries and provide for the recycling of nickel cadmium, small sealed lead-acid batteries, and certain other rechargeable batteries.

State Battery Recycling Laws

Some states have enacted battery recycling laws for various types of consumer batteries. To see a map of state battery laws, go to the Call2Recycle website.

Used Household Batteries | US EPA (2024)

FAQs

What is the EPA waste code for lithium batteries? ›

Most lithium-ion batteries on the market are likely to meet the definition of hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Most lithium-ion batteries when discarded would likely be considered ignitable and reactive hazardous wastes (carrying the waste codes D001 and D003, respectively).

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Are household batteries hazardous? ›

Common Types of Household Batteries

These batteries can contain corrosive chemicals that can cause burns as well as toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel, silver, and mercury (in older batteries).

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What is the EPA definition of battery? ›

Battery: a device that consists of one or more electrochemical cells that are electrically connected; and is designed to store and deliver electric energy.

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What are the environmental impacts of single use batteries? ›

Air Pollution: Batteries undergo a photochemical reaction as they decompose in landfills. This causes emissions of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect results in global warming / climate change.

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Which type of waste are used batteries governed by EPA regulations? ›

To accomplish these goals, EPA established standards in 1995 for three types of universal wastes: batteries, pesticides, and thermostats. On July 6, 1999, EPA added hazardous waste lamps to the federal list of universal wastes (64 FR 36466).

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Can lithium batteries go in general waste? ›

Lithium-ion batteries can not be placed into home garbage or recycling bins. They can cause fires during waste collection, transportation, handling and processing. Small, undamaged batteries (not swollen, punctured, or leaking, etc.) can be safely disposed of at a battery recycling drop off point.

Why should batteries not be put in household waste? ›

Batteries can be a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or damaged. They should also never be disposed of in your household bin, as this can also cause fires.

Are AA batteries toxic? ›

AA cells typically contain a mixture of toxic heavy metals including mercury, lithium, zinc and nickel that can cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract due to their corrosive nature, with mercury oxide batteries most likely to degrade and fragment.

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Why is a 12 volt household battery harmless? ›

The handbook Auto Electricity, Electronics, Computers states that the "Battery or charging system voltage will normally not produce enough current flow to cause a severe electric shock."

What category of waste is a battery? ›

As a general rule of thumb, batteries are classed as hazardous waste. Why? They contain substances such as sulphuric acid, mercury, nickel, cadmium, or lead, as well as other dangerous materials that can give batteries a variety of hazardous properties.