Separate batteries by type, protect exposed terminals from contact, and use a retailer, local household hazardous-waste program, or battery recycler. A swollen, hot, punctured, leaking, or recalled lithium battery needs special instructions—not a mailer or unattended drop box.
Choose the route by condition
| What you have | Best first call |
|---|---|
| Alkaline household batteries | Follow your local program; state and local rules differ. |
| Rechargeable or lithium batteries | Tape terminals or bag individually as the collector instructs. |
| Lead-acid vehicle battery | Use a retailer or battery recycler and keep it upright. |
| Damaged lithium battery | Isolate from combustibles and call the HHW or fire authority. |
Prepare it before you load
- Read the label and group batteries by chemistry.
- Cover terminals with nonconductive tape when instructed.
- Place batteries so terminals cannot contact metal or each other.
- Transport promptly; do not build a large mixed battery collection at home.
Small batteries can create large fires
Rechargeable batteries retain energy after a device stops working. When compactors or sorting equipment crush them, internal damage can trigger thermal runaway. That is why a curbside recycling symbol does not mean the battery belongs loose in a household cart.
If a battery changes shape, produces odor, hisses, leaks, or becomes hot, move people away and follow emergency guidance. Do not puncture it, put it in water, or seal a heating battery in an airtight container. Collection programs may provide a special damaged-battery package or direct you to a staffed site.
This guide explains the decision. The finder provides nearby research leads from public records. A listed place is not a promise that it accepts this material today.
Common mistakes
- Putting loose batteries in a recycling cart
- Combining terminals in a metal can
- Mailing a damaged lithium battery
- Removing an embedded battery with force
Questions to ask before the trip
- Which chemistries and sizes are accepted?
- How should terminals be protected?
- Does the site accept damaged or recalled batteries?
- Are resident, quantity, or business restrictions in effect?
Do not transport a leaking, reacting, smoking, unstable, or unknown hazardous item based only on a web guide. Move away from immediate danger and contact local emergency or hazardous-waste staff.
Sources and review notes
Reviewed August 4, 2026. We use primary government and program sources where available. Links open the current publisher page; local rules can change after our review.