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In the United States, alkaline batteries and lithium-ion batteries have different disposal rules: alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can go in household trash in most communities, while lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should go to a separate battery collection site or household hazardous-waste program—not household garbage or curbside recycling. Local and state requirements and collection options vary, so check your local solid-waste authority or the receiving program’s instructions.
The safest first step is to identify the battery’s chemistry rather than relying on its shape or size. Then use the route for that chemistry, and treat a swollen or damaged lithium-ion battery as a special case—not as an ordinary drop-off.
Check the battery chemistry before choosing a disposal route
Battery size is not a reliable way to identify chemistry. A lithium battery can look like an alkaline battery of the same common size, so check the printing on the battery case, the device, or its manual. Look for the words “alkaline,” “zinc-carbon,” “lithium,” or “lithium-ion.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically advises checking the label rather than assuming a familiar-looking cell is alkaline.
This distinction matters because “lithium” does not always mean “lithium-ion.” The general trash guidance for alkaline and zinc-carbon cells should not be applied automatically to a battery marked lithium, and the lithium-ion guidance below is specifically for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and devices that contain them. If the chemistry is unclear, check the product information or ask your state or local solid-waste authority how to handle it rather than guessing.
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Use the label or product information as the starting point even when a battery looks like a common household cell. A battery’s appearance alone does not tell you whether it is alkaline, zinc-carbon, lithium, or lithium-ion. If the label is missing, worn, or difficult to read, do not decide that it is alkaline just because it fits a familiar device. Ask the local solid-waste authority or the collection program that might receive it for direction.
- Alkaline or zinc-carbon: usually household trash is allowed in most U.S. communities, but local rules may differ; recycling is EPA’s recommended option where available.
- Lithium-ion: separate battery collection or household hazardous-waste collection; not household trash or curbside recycling.
- Damaged or swollen lithium-ion: get handling instructions from the manufacturer or local hazardous-waste program instead of treating it as a routine drop-off.
- Unclear chemistry: check the case, product markings, or manual, then ask a local authority or collection program if you still cannot identify it.
Can you throw alkaline batteries in the trash?
In most U.S. communities, used alkaline and zinc-carbon single-use batteries can safely go in household trash. EPA recommends recycling them or checking with your state or local solid-waste authority. That is general U.S. guidance, not a guarantee that disposal rules are identical everywhere: follow stricter state or municipal requirements if they apply.
For a household deciding what to do with an ordinary, intact alkaline or zinc-carbon cell, the practical choice is to check the local rules first. If local guidance allows household trash, that is an available route. If a battery recycler or another accepted local collection option is available, EPA recommends recycling or checking with the relevant solid-waste authority rather than assuming the rules are the same in every community.
Do not extend this advice to rechargeable batteries or batteries labeled lithium-ion. Their chemistry and fire risk in the waste stream require a different collection route. Nor should you treat every cell marked “lithium” as alkaline. If the label says lithium but does not clearly identify it as lithium-ion, use the product information and ask the local authority or collection program which route applies.
Where to dispose of lithium-ion batteries
Take household lithium-ion batteries to a separate battery collection site or a household hazardous-waste facility. Some electronics retailers host collection points, but acceptance varies: confirm that the specific location takes your battery type before making a trip. You can also check the current location finder or instructions for a collection program, or contact your state or local solid-waste authority.
EPA’s consumer guidance states: “Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and devices containing these batteries should not go in household garbage or recycling bins.” This applies to curbside recycling as well as household trash. A recycling symbol on a battery or device does not mean it belongs in the curbside bin; use the separate collection route indicated by the local program.
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Collection availability is local. A retailer with a collection point may accept some batteries but not the particular battery or device you have. Before setting out, check the program’s current instructions or contact the location and confirm that it accepts the type of battery or device. If you cannot find a suitable collection point, ask your state or local solid-waste authority or household hazardous-waste program for an accepted route. Do not put a lithium-ion battery in curbside recycling simply because a specialized drop-off is inconvenient or because the item has a recycling mark.
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A lithium-ion battery can be crushed or otherwise damaged during waste collection or processing. Damage can create a fire hazard. Keeping these batteries out of both municipal garbage and curbside recycling helps avoid sending them through handling systems where they may be damaged.
The risk is the reason the disposal route differs from the route for alkaline and zinc-carbon cells. Household trash and curbside recycling are not substitutes for a separate battery collection site or a household hazardous-waste facility. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also explains that lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. Do not interpret a recycling symbol as an instruction to use the curbside bin: check for the program that accepts the battery separately.
Prepare a removable battery for drop-off
- Check the receiving program’s instructions first. A collection site may have specific packaging or acceptance requirements, and those directions take precedence. Confirm the site accepts your battery type before taking it there.
- Protect the terminals. Cover the battery’s terminals with non-conductive tape. EPA prefers electrical tape; other non-metallic adhesive tape can also work. The goal is to isolate the terminals for the trip to collection.
- Alternatively, bag batteries separately. Put each battery in its own plastic bag rather than placing multiple loose batteries together. Individual bags are an alternative way to keep batteries isolated; still follow the collection program’s own directions.
- Keep the battery intact and identifiable. Avoid damaging it and keep its label legible where possible. Do not bend, crush, or puncture it. Take it to the collection location using the program’s instructions.
Terminal isolation is a precaution for routine drop-off of an intact battery; it is not a substitute for special handling instructions for a damaged or swollen battery. If the collection site specifies a different preparation method, follow that site’s instructions. Do not remove or obscure the label if it can remain legible while the terminals are covered or the battery is bagged.
Electrical tape is EPA’s preferred tape for covering terminals because it is non-conductive. Other non-metallic adhesive tapes can work, but no particular brand is required by this guidance. If you do not tape the terminals, the alternative EPA describes is to place each battery in its own plastic bag. Either preparation step should be paired with the receiving program’s instructions, not used as a reason to place the battery in household trash or curbside recycling.
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When the battery is built into a device
If a lithium-ion battery is built into a phone, laptop, or other device and cannot be removed easily, do not pry it out. Do not bend, crush, or puncture the device to reach the battery. EPA warns that some batteries are difficult to remove and can pose a fire hazard if they are broken, bent, or crushed. Take the whole device to an appropriate electronics recycler or household hazardous-waste program, and follow that program’s instructions.
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Some batteries are designed in a way that makes removal difficult. If you are unsure whether the battery is meant to come out easily, do not force it or try to dismantle the device to prepare it for collection. The safer route is to ask an appropriate electronics recycler or household hazardous-waste program how it accepts the device. Confirm acceptance before making the trip, since collection instructions and accepted items can vary by program.
The same core rule applies when the battery stays inside the product: a device containing a lithium-ion battery should not go in household garbage or curbside recycling. Use an appropriate separate collection route. Keep the device intact while arranging that route, and follow any directions from the program receiving it.
Can batteries go in curbside recycling?
Do not put lithium-ion batteries or devices containing them in curbside recycling. They need separate collection because they can be damaged during collection or processing and create a fire hazard. The presence of a recycling symbol does not change that disposal route.
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For alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries, EPA says household trash is allowed in most communities and recommends recycling or checking local guidance. Whether a local curbside program accepts a particular battery is not established by the general EPA guidance, so check the program’s rules rather than assuming that ordinary curbside recycling is an approved destination. When in doubt, use the local solid-waste authority’s guidance to find an accepted route.
In other words, “recycling” does not always mean putting an item in the curbside recycling bin. Lithium-ion batteries need separate battery collection or household hazardous-waste collection. For alkaline or zinc-carbon cells, check whether your local program accepts them and follow its instructions. If a local program’s rules are not clear, ask before putting batteries in a bin; do not infer acceptance from the battery’s symbol or appearance.
What to do with a swollen, damaged, or recalled lithium-ion battery
A swollen lithium-ion battery indicates damage and may present a fire hazard. Do not treat it like an intact battery by simply taping the terminals or placing it in a routine drop-off bin. When there is no imminent threat, contact the product manufacturer, retailer, state waste agency, or local household hazardous-waste program for specific handling direction. While waiting for instructions, keep it in a safe place away from flammable materials.
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If there appears to be an imminent fire risk, EPA says emergency services may be needed. For a recalled battery or device, follow any manufacturer or local-program instructions for its handling; do not assume ordinary collection procedures are appropriate.
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Quick route by battery type
| Battery or device | General U.S. household route | Preparation or caution |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline or zinc-carbon, single-use | Household trash is allowed in most communities; EPA recommends recycling or checking state or local guidance. | Follow local requirements, which may be stricter. |
| Lithium-ion, intact and removable | Separate battery collection or household hazardous-waste facility; not household trash or curbside recycling. | Isolate terminals with non-conductive tape, preferably electrical tape, or place each battery in its own plastic bag. Follow site instructions. |
| Lithium-ion battery built into a device | Appropriate electronics recycler or household hazardous-waste program. | Do not pry out, bend, crush, or puncture the device. Follow the program’s instructions. |
| Damaged or swollen lithium-ion | Get handling direction from the manufacturer, retailer, state waste agency, or local household hazardous-waste program. | Keep away from flammable materials while awaiting direction; contact emergency services if there appears to be an imminent fire risk. |
| Battery labeled “lithium” but not clearly identified as lithium-ion | Check the product information and ask your state or local solid-waste authority or collection program for the correct route. | Do not assume it is alkaline based on size or apply lithium-ion instructions without identifying the chemistry. |
Keep button and coin cells away from young children
Button and coin cells can be swallowed. Keep them away from young children while identifying a battery or arranging disposal. Use the chemistry label or product information to choose the disposal route; the cell’s small size alone does not identify its chemistry.
If you have a small button or coin cell waiting for its appropriate disposal route, keep it out of reach of young children. Do not let its small size lead you to skip the chemistry check: use the markings or product information and follow the route for its chemistry. If you are uncertain what type it is, ask your local solid-waste authority or collection program.
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- Read the battery or product markings so you know whether it is alkaline, zinc-carbon, lithium-ion, or another type.
- Check your state or municipality’s disposal requirements, especially if they differ from the general U.S. guidance here.
- Confirm that the collection site accepts the specific battery or device. Do not assume every retailer collection point accepts every type.
- For an intact, removable lithium-ion battery, isolate its terminals or bag it individually, unless the receiving program specifies another method.
- For a damaged or swollen battery, stop and get handling instructions from the manufacturer or local program; routine preparation is not enough.
A simple decision sequence can prevent the most common disposal mistakes: identify the chemistry; check your local rules and the receiving site’s acceptance instructions; then prepare the item according to its condition. For an intact alkaline or zinc-carbon single-use cell, local guidance determines whether trash is allowed and whether a recycling option is available. For an intact lithium-ion battery, arrange separate collection and protect its terminals or bag it individually as directed. For a lithium-ion device with a battery that is hard to remove, take the whole device to an appropriate program rather than dismantling it. For a damaged or swollen cell, get specific handling instructions before proceeding.
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There is no single collection location that can be named for every U.S. household. The accepted route depends on where you live and on what the collection site takes. Use your state or local solid-waste authority, household hazardous-waste program, or the receiving program’s current location finder to identify a suitable option. Confirm acceptance and preparation requirements directly with the program before setting out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw alkaline batteries in the trash?
In most U.S. communities, used alkaline and zinc-carbon single-use batteries can go in household trash. EPA recommends recycling them or checking with your state or local solid-waste authority, because local requirements may be stricter.
Where do I dispose of lithium-ion batteries?
Use a separate battery collection site or a household hazardous-waste facility. Some electronics retailers host collection points, but confirm that the specific location accepts your battery type. Do not put lithium-ion batteries or devices containing them in household trash or curbside recycling.
Can batteries go in curbside recycling?
Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should not go in curbside recycling; use separate battery collection or household hazardous-waste collection. For alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries, check your local program’s rules rather than assuming curbside recycling accepts them.
Do I need to tape battery terminals before recycling?
For an intact, removable lithium-ion battery, EPA recommends covering the terminals with non-conductive tape, preferably electrical tape. Other non-metallic adhesive tape can work. Alternatively, put each battery in its own plastic bag. Follow the receiving program’s instructions.
What do I do with a swollen lithium-ion battery?
Do not treat it as a routine drop-off or rely on terminal tape alone. If there is no imminent threat, contact the manufacturer, retailer, state waste agency, or local household hazardous-waste program for handling instructions, and keep it away from flammable materials while waiting. If there appears to be imminent fire risk, emergency services may be needed.
What if a lithium-ion battery is built into a device?
Do not pry it out or bend, crush, or puncture the device to reach it. Take the whole device to an appropriate electronics recycler or household hazardous-waste program and follow that program’s instructions.
The Bottom Line
Identify the chemistry before choosing a route. In most U.S. communities, alkaline and zinc-carbon single-use batteries may go in household trash, though EPA recommends recycling them or checking local guidance. Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them belong in separate battery or household hazardous-waste collection—not household garbage or curbside recycling. Protect intact removable battery terminals as directed, and get specific instructions for any swollen or damaged battery.
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