How to dispose of batteries
Start with your city: most cities take batteries through hazardous waste and drop-off sites. Choose your city below to jump to its rules, or read the options that apply anywhere.
Your city’s rules for batteries
| Hazardous? | Sometimes. Alkaline/zinc-carbon: generally OK in household trash in most communities; lithium/lithium-ion, button cells and lead-acid must not go in trash or recycling bins (fire and lead/acid hazards). (epa.gov) |
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Ways to get rid of batteries
Household hazardous waste drop-off
Household hazardous waste collection. (epa.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
State or industry recycling program
Call2Recycle (now The Battery Network) drop-off network. (batterynetwork.org, checked October 30, 2026)
Retailer take-back
The Home Depot: rechargeable batteries (up to 11 lb, under 300 Wh) at store-entrance Call2Recycle bins. (ecoactions.homedepot.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Retailer take-back
Lowe's recycling center accepts rechargeable batteries (not alkaline). (corporate.lowes.com, checked October 30, 2026)
Rules to know
- Alkaline & zinc-carbon (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V): trash is allowed in most communities, but EPA recommends battery recyclers or local guidance. (epa.gov)
- Lithium-ion / rechargeable: never trash or curbside recycling; take to battery recyclers, retailer take-back, or HHW. (epa.gov)
- Tape terminals or bag each battery to prevent fires. (epa.gov)
- Lead-acid (car) batteries: return to battery retailer or HHW. (epa.gov)
- Devices with non-removable batteries: take the whole device to electronics recyclers or take-back. (epa.gov)
State programs and laws
| State | Program or law | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | Battery stewardship law AB 2440 | batterynetwork.org |
| Colorado | Battery Stewardship Act of 2025 | batterynetwork.org |
| Connecticut | EPR for Consumer Batteries (2025 Act) | batterynetwork.org |
| District of Columbia | Zero Waste Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020 | batterynetwork.org |
| Illinois | Battery Stewardship Act | batterynetwork.org |
| Maine | Stewardship Program for Primary and Rechargeable Batteries | batterynetwork.org |
| Nebraska | Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Act of 2025 | batterynetwork.org |
| Vermont | Product Stewardship for Primary and Rechargeable Batteries | batterynetwork.org |
| Washington | SB 5144 battery stewardship | batterynetwork.org |
| Wisconsin | Act 170 battery stewardship | batterynetwork.org |
| Florida | Lead-acid batteries may not be landfilled or burned in waste-to-energy facilities; retailers must accept used lead-acid batteries as trade-ins (s. 403.708(12)(a), F.S.). | leg.state.fl.us |
| Florida | Rechargeable batteries must be recycled under Florida law; free rechargeable battery recycling system (The Battery Network/Call2Recycle) available to every resident. | floridadep.gov |
| Hawaii | Lead-acid batteries may not go in household rubbish or landfills (Ch. 342I, HRS); deliver to battery retailers/wholesalers or DOH-permitted collection/recycling facilities. | health.hawaii.gov |
| Indiana | Lead-acid battery retailer take-back and notice law, plus rechargeable (SSLA) battery recycling law, per The Battery Network. | batterynetwork.org |
| Iowa | Rechargeable battery management law: Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries may not be sold unless a recycling system is in place; The Battery Network (Call2Recycle) runs the program and 1-800-8-BATTERY line. | batterynetwork.org |
| Kentucky | Lead-acid battery law: lead-acid batteries may not be put in mixed solid waste or accepted at landfills/incinerators; retailers must accept used batteries one-for-one with new sales. | batterynetwork.org |
| Louisiana | Lead-acid batteries may not be placed in mixed solid waste; deliver to an automotive battery retailer/wholesaler, authorized collection/recycling facility, or permitted secondary lead smelter (R.S. 30:2419). | legis.la.gov |
| Maryland | Rechargeable Battery Management Law: marketers must run a management program for used Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries; The Battery Network (Call2Recycle) operates collection statewide. | batterynetwork.org |
| Massachusetts | Automotive (lead acid) batteries are banned from disposal; this was the first MA waste ban (1990). | recyclesmartma.org |
| Minnesota | Rechargeable batteries and products with non-removable rechargeable batteries may not be placed in the trash (since 1991). | revisor.mn.gov |
| Mississippi | Lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of in mixed municipal solid waste; they must go to a battery retailer/wholesaler, collection/recycling facility or secondary lead smelter. Retailers must accept used lead-acid batteries at least equal to the number of new ones purchased. | batterynetwork.org |
| Missouri | Lead-acid (vehicle) batteries are banned from landfills; retailers must accept a used lead-acid battery in exchange for a new one purchased. Household alkaline batteries may go in the trash, though recycling is recommended. | dnr.mo.gov |
| Montana | DEQ guidance: lithium-ion batteries must not be placed in landfills (fire risk); recycle via The Battery Network and retailers. The Battery Network lists Montana as having no state battery law. | deq.mt.gov |
| New Hampshire | Rechargeable battery management law requires Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries/packs to identify the manufacturer (labeling; no consumer disposal ban stated by The Battery Network). | batterynetwork.org |
| New Jersey | Rechargeable Battery Management Law: illegal to knowingly dispose of Ni-Cd and small sealed lead batteries as solid waste; manufacturers must run approved collection programs (The Battery Network program approved by NJDEP). | batterynetwork.org |
| New Mexico | Lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of at any landfill or incinerator. | batterynetwork.org |
| New York | Rechargeable Battery Law (ECL 27-1807): rechargeable batteries may not be disposed of as solid waste; retailers selling them must accept up to 10 (some types 5) per day from anyone, free, and post a sign. | nysenate.gov |
| North Carolina | Lead-acid batteries are banned from landfills; lithium-ion batteries are added to the landfill disposal ban effective December 1, 2026. DEQ advises never to trash or recycle rechargeable batteries in the cart. | deq.nc.gov |
| North Dakota | Lead-acid batteries may not be placed in municipal waste or landfilled; retailers must accept them as trade-ins for new batteries. DEQ encourages recycling other batteries at retailers/collection sites. | batterynetwork.org |
| Ohio | Ohio EPA: no type of battery should ever go in curbside or drop-off recycling bins; disposal depends on battery type. Battery Network lists Ohio as having no state battery law. | epa.ohio.gov |
| Oregon | Battery producer responsibility law: producers must join a battery producer responsibility organization and implement a collection/recycling program by July 1, 2029 (per The Battery Network). Not yet operational. | batterynetwork.org |
| South Carolina | Lead-acid batteries may not be placed in mixed municipal solid waste; deliver to a battery retailer/wholesaler, registered recycling facility or smelter. Retailers must accept them; $5 refundable core deposit if no core returned (SC Code 44-96-180). Small sealed lead-acid batteries may not be landfilled or incinerated. | scstatehouse.gov |
| South Dakota | Lead-acid batteries are banned from landfills; retailers/wholesalers must accept used lead-acid batteries one-for-one. | batterynetwork.org |
| Texas | Lead-acid batteries are banned from mixed municipal solid waste; retailers must accept 1 to 3 used lead-acid batteries from customers and post a notice. | batterynetwork.org |
| Utah | Lead acid batteries must be delivered to a battery retailer/wholesaler, collection/recycling facility or secondary lead smelter; disposal in any solid waste facility is prohibited. | batterynetwork.org |
| Virginia | Unlawful to place a used lead acid battery in mixed municipal solid waste; deliver to a battery retailer/wholesaler, smelter or authorized recycling facility (Va. Code § 10.1-1425.1; fine up to $50 per battery). Retailers must accept used batteries in quantity equal to purchases. | law.lis.virginia.gov |
| West Virginia | Lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of in solid waste landfills. | batterynetwork.org |
| Wyoming | Used lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of in mixed municipal solid waste; retailers must accept at least an equal number of used batteries and post a notice. | batterynetwork.org |
Cautions
- Lithium batteries can spark and cause fires if damaged or terminals touch.
- Button/coin batteries are a swallowing hazard for children.
- Many states also have lead-acid battery retailer take-back laws (see Battery Network state laws page).
Related guides
All disposal guidesChecked October 30, 2026 against federal, state and program pages. Local rules come first: your city’s page shows its own pickup and drop-off rules.