| Type | Description and Uses | How to Dispose |
Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon | These common everyday batteries can be used in products such as clocks, flashlights, remote controls, radios, remote-control products, children’s toys and other items. For example, some common alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries include AA, AAA, C-cell, D-cell and 9 Volt. | Alkaline and zinc carbon batteries can be safely put in your household trash. |
Button-Cell or Coin | These small, round batteries. Today, the majority are made of lithium metal. These batteries are commonly used in products such as watches, hearing aids, car keyless entry remotes and medical devices. | Put each battery in an individual, clear plastic bag, or tape each battery’s terminals with clear packing tape. 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. Visit Call2Recycle [exit DNR] or call 1-877-2-RECYCLE; many retailers participate in this non-profit program to recycle rechargeable batteries and have collection boxes in their stores. |
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, some remote controls, handheld games and carbon dioxide/smoke detectors. | Put each battery in an individual, clear plastic bag, or tape each battery’s terminals with clear packing tape. A lithium battery may spark and cause fires if damaged or the terminal ends touch. Do not put button-cell, coin, or lithium single use batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins. Store batteries in a non-metal container. Store swollen or damaged batteries in sand or kitty litter. Visit Call2Recycle [exit DNR] or call 1-877-2-RECYCLE; many retailers participate in this non-profit program to recycle rechargeable batteries and have collection boxes in their stores. |
| Type | Description and Uses | How to Dispose |
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)  | These batteries are typically used in cordless power tools, cordless phones, digital and video cameras, two-way radios, and bio-medical equipment. They may look like single-use AA, AAA or other alkaline batteries or a battery pack shaped for specific tools. | Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place non-conductive tape (e.g., clear packing tape or 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 Call2Recycle |
Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) | Commonly found in cellphones, 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. | Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place non-conductive tape (e.g., clear packing tape or 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: Li-ion Call2Recycle |
Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) | Commonly found in cellphones, cordless power tools, digital cameras and two-way radios. | Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place non-conductive tape (e.g., clear packing tape or 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-MH Call2Recycle |
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. | Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place non-conductive tape (e.g., clear packing tape or 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: Pb Call2Recycle |
Nickel-Zinc (Ni-Zn) | Commonly found in digital cameras, wireless keyboards and small electronics. | Place each battery in a separate plastic bag or place non-conductive tape (e.g., clear packing tape or 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-Zn Call2Recycle |
| Type | Description and Uses | How to Dispose |
Lead-Acid | Lead-acid batteries can contain up to 18 pounds of lead and about one gallon of corrosive lead-contaminated sulfuric acid. These batteries can be used as either an engine starting battery or automotive power battery. 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 basement 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. |
Medium & 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. | 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. |