Lithium-ion batteries should never go in your household trash or curbside recycling bin. They contain hazardous metals like cobalt, copper, nickel, and lead, and when crushed in garbage trucks or waste facilities, they can ignite fires that release toxic gases. The right move depends on whether you’re recycling old batteries, storing ones you’ll use later, or dealing with a damaged or swollen battery.
Why They Can’t Go in the Trash
Lithium-ion batteries are classified as hazardous waste under both federal and California state regulations. Testing has found cobalt levels averaging over 163,000 mg/kg (the regulatory limit is 8,000), copper averaging nearly 99,000 mg/kg (limit: 2,500), and nickel averaging 9,525 mg/kg (limit: 2,000). When these batteries break down in a landfill, those metals can leach into soil and groundwater. Some tested batteries also exceeded safe limits for chromium, lead, and thallium.
The more immediate danger is fire. When a lithium-ion battery gets punctured or crushed in a garbage truck, it can short-circuit and ignite surrounding waste. Controlled fire trials in garbage trucks found carbon monoxide levels exceeding occupational exposure limits by more than 30 times, along with hydrogen fluoride and sulfur dioxide at dangerous concentrations. The runoff water from these fires contained fluoride and metal levels well above freshwater ecosystem safety thresholds. These fires put sanitation workers at serious risk and are increasingly common at waste facilities.
How to Identify Lithium-Ion Batteries
Most lithium-ion batteries are labeled “Li-ion,” “lithium-ion,” or “LiPo” (lithium polymer) somewhere on the casing. They’re the rechargeable batteries in your phone, laptop, tablet, power tools, e-bikes, electric toothbrushes, vapes, and portable chargers (power banks). If a device charges via USB or a dedicated charging cable, it almost certainly contains a lithium-ion battery. Many also carry a recycling symbol with the text “Li-ion” beneath it, or a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol indicating they shouldn’t be thrown away with regular waste.
Don’t confuse them with standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeables. If you’re unsure, check the device manual or look for chemistry markings on the battery itself.
Where to Drop Off Batteries for Recycling
The easiest option for most people is a retail drop-off location. In the U.S. and Canada, Call2Recycle operates collection bins at major chains including Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, and Walmart. In Canada, the network extends to Canadian Tire, Costco, IKEA, London Drugs, and dozens of other retailers. You can search for your nearest drop-off point at call2recycle.org (U.S.) or call2recycle.ca (Canada).
Many municipalities also accept lithium-ion batteries at household hazardous waste collection events or permanent drop-off facilities. Check your local waste authority’s website. Some battery manufacturers and electronics retailers run their own take-back programs, particularly for larger batteries from power tools or e-bikes.
How to Prepare Batteries for Drop-Off
Before you bring batteries to a collection point, you need to prevent short circuits during transport. The EPA recommends placing non-conductive tape (electrical tape works well) over the battery terminals, or placing each battery in its own separate plastic bag. This keeps the metal contacts from touching other batteries, keys, coins, or anything else conductive that could cause a spark.
If the battery is still inside a device and you can’t easily remove it, that’s fine. Most drop-off programs accept devices with embedded batteries. Just make sure the device is powered off.
Storing Batteries You’re Not Using
If you have lithium-ion batteries you plan to use later but not right away, how you store them matters for both safety and battery lifespan. The ideal conditions are a charge level between 50% and 60% and a temperature between 32°F and 86°F (0°C to 30°C). Storing a battery fully charged or fully depleted accelerates chemical degradation inside the cells.
Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A closet or drawer at room temperature is fine. Avoid garages or sheds where temperatures swing with the seasons, and never store them near flammable materials. If you’re storing batteries for more than a few months, check the charge level periodically and top it up to the 50-60% range if it’s dropped significantly.
Dealing With a Swollen or Damaged Battery
A swollen, puffy, or visibly deformed lithium-ion battery is a battery on the verge of failure. The swelling comes from gas buildup inside the cell, usually caused by overcharging, heat exposure, physical damage, or simply age. Do not puncture it, and do not try to continue using it.
If the battery is inside a device, stop using the device immediately. Don’t try to charge it. If possible, power the device down without pressing on the swollen area. Move it away from flammable materials.
For a removable battery that’s swollen or damaged, wear gloves and eye protection when handling it. Place it in a metal or hard plastic bucket away from anything flammable. You can submerge it in salt water to safely discharge it over several days. Bubbles forming in the water indicate the battery is discharging. After at least three days, remove it, dry it, and tape the terminals before bringing it to a hazardous waste facility. If the battery is actively smoking, hissing, or getting hot, move away from it and call your local fire department.
Traveling With Lithium-Ion Batteries
The FAA has clear rules for flying with lithium-ion batteries. Spare batteries and power banks that are not installed in a device must go in your carry-on bag only. They are not allowed in checked luggage. If your carry-on gets gate-checked at boarding, you need to pull out all spare batteries and power banks and carry them into the cabin with you.
Batteries installed inside your devices (laptops, phones, cameras) can go in either carry-on or checked bags. The distinction is about loose batteries, which are more likely to short-circuit if something shifts or presses against them in the cargo hold, where no one can respond to a fire. For the same reason, it’s smart to keep spare batteries in individual plastic bags or with tape over the terminals when you travel.
Large Batteries From E-Bikes and Power Tools
Batteries from e-bikes, electric scooters, and high-voltage power tool packs are heavier and store significantly more energy than a phone or laptop battery. Many standard retail drop-off bins won’t accept them due to size. For these, contact the manufacturer’s recycling program, your local hazardous waste facility, or a specialized battery recycler. Some e-bike shops also accept old packs. The same preparation rules apply: tape the terminals and transport them carefully, avoiding extreme heat or physical impacts during the trip.