Where to Recycle Batteries, by Type
Lithium, button and rechargeable batteries should not go in the trash; Home Depot takes rechargeables free, Staples takes all kinds for $2.99 a visit.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Batteries are not all handled the same way. Some can go in household trash, while others are a fire risk or contain metals that should be recovered. This page sums up, in our own words, what the EPA, two retailers and The Battery Network say, read on October 27, 2026. Local rules can be stricter, so check with your city or county too.
What goes where
| Battery type | Household trash? | Where the EPA points you |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline and zinc-carbon single-use | Usually yes, in most communities | A battery recycler, if your area offers one |
| Lithium single-use | No | Battery recyclers, retailer take-back, or a household hazardous waste (HHW) program |
| Button and coin cells | No | Battery recyclers, retailer take-back, or HHW |
| Lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium and nickel metal hydride rechargeables | No | Battery recyclers, retailer take-back, or HHW; for batteries built into a device, an electronics recycler |
| Lead-acid car batteries | No | Back to the battery retailer, or a local solid waste or HHW program |
The EPA also says rechargeable and lithium batteries do not belong in curbside recycling bins.
Get them ready
The EPA's safety steps for lithium-ion and button batteries:
- Bag or tape each one. Put each battery in its own plastic bag, or cover the terminals with non-conductive tape.
- Keep button cells away from children. They are a swallowing hazard.
- Treat damaged batteries with care. Contact the maker for handling advice before you move a swollen or broken one.
Store drop-off
| Store | What it takes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | Rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds and under 300 watt-hours, plus lithium single-use button cells and small sealed lead-acid batteries | Free |
| Staples | Rechargeable and single-use batteries | $2.99 per visit, no fee in CA, IL, MN, NY and VT |
Home Depot
Home Depot says every store has a recycling station at the entrance with Call2Recycle bins. Its list covers rechargeable nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium-ion and small sealed lead-acid batteries, plus lithium single-use button cells. Only non-leaking batteries go in the bin, each in one of the plastic bags provided. Home Depot's page does not list regular household alkaline batteries. More in the Home Depot recycling guide.
Staples
Staples lists rechargeable and single-use batteries among the tech it recycles in store, for $2.99 per visit. The fee does not apply in California, Illinois, Minnesota, New York and Vermont. See where to recycle electronics for what else Staples takes.
Find a drop-off near you
The Battery Network runs a locator that finds drop-off sites by ZIP code. It says most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries, and some take specialty batteries such as e-bike packs over 300 watt-hours. Check the site's details before you go, and prepare lithium and soft-sided batteries first, as its safety section explains.
For car batteries, the EPA's advice is to return them to a battery retailer or a local collection program; see the Advance Auto Parts recycling guide for one store's program.
Sources
Used household batteries, EPA; Recycle rechargeable batteries, Home Depot; Recycling, Staples; Drop-off locator, The Battery Network. Checked October 27, 2026.