Household Battery Recycling

Household batteries come in two main forms: rechargeable and single-use. The extent to which each can be recycled depends on a variety of factors including battery type and materials able to be recovered from the recycling process. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

“Batteries are manufactured using different mixtures of chemical elements designed to meet customers’ power and performance needs. Batteries can contain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel and silver, which can pose a threat to human health or the environment when improperly managed at the end of their service life.”

As fire damage resulting from improper handling of lithium-ion batteries has increased in the last few years, so has the need to understand how and why we should take extra care in properly disposing of this specific item. For more information, check out our new Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Fact Sheet (available in both English and Spanish).

Important Notes on Recycling or Disposing of Batteries: When preparing batteries for recycling or disposal, always cover the electrical connections or battery terminals with a non-conductive tape (electrical or vinyl) or seal individual batteries in separate plastic bags so they cannot conduct electricity. This helps eliminate potential fire or explosion hazards when batteries are collected in a bulk container. If your batteries appear damaged, contact the battery or device manufacturer for handling information. Also, prior to transporting batteries to an outlet offering recycling, please contact the entity to confirm they accept your specific type of battery, as well as to inquire about any fees associated with the service.

Below are summaries of different types of batteries, their uses, and how they can be recycled or disposed of safely:

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Nickel Cadmium

Nickel Cadmium batteries are rechargeable and come in traditional cylindrical battery sizes as well as a wide variety of battery packs. The battery packs are found in items such as cordless telephones, cordless power tools, hand-held vacuums, and video cameras. Cadmium is a toxic metal that can pose a threat to human health and the environment. Nickel cadmium batteries are labeled with the chemical symbol Ni-Cd.

For more information on where to recycle nickel cadmium batteries in your area, please visit Call2Recycle or use their Drop-off site locator by dialing 1-877-2-RECYCLE. Retail collection points may include Batteries Plus, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. This battery type may also be accepted at one of Pennsylvania's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these collection events.

Nickel Metal Hydride

Nickel metal hydride batteries are more environmentally friendly than nickel cadmium due to the absence of cadmium. These batteries can be found in camcorders, cell phones and power tools. They have many of the same performance characteristics as nickel cadmium and are labeled with the symbol NiMH.

For more information on where to recycle nickel metal hydride batteries in your area, please visit Call2Recycle or use their Drop-off site locator by dialing 1-877-2-RECYCLE. Retail collection points may include Batteries Plus, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. This battery type may also be accepted at one of Pennsylvania's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these collection events.

Nickel-Zinc

Nickel-Zinc batteries are newer to the marketplace and can be found in digital cameras and wireless keyboards. For more information on where to recycle nickel zinc batteries in your area, please visit Call2Recycle or use their Drop-off site locator by dialing 1-877-2-RECYCLE. Retail collection points may include Batteries Plus, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. This battery type may also be accepted at one of Pennsylvania's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these collection events.

Lithium Ion

Lithium ion batteries that are rechargeable are typically found in digital cameras, cell phones, laptop computers, and e-cigarettes. This battery type can be recycled through Call2Recycle, or at participating retail collection points such as Batteries Plus, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples. They also may be accepted at one of our Pennsylvania HHW Collection events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these HHW collection events.

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Lithium Primary

Lithium primary batteries are non-rechargeable and can be found in devices such as cameras, smoke detectors, and remote controls. They often resemble single-use alkaline batteries but require more caution in handling and preparation for recycling.

When preparing lithium primary batteries for recycling, always cover the electrical connections or battery terminals with a non-conductive tape (electrical or vinyl) or seal individual batteries in separate plastic bags so they cannot conduct electricity. This helps eliminate potential fire or explosion hazards when batteries are collected in a bulk container.

If your batteries appear damaged, contact the battery or device manufacturer for handling information. Prior to transporting batteries to an outlet offering recycling, please contact the entity to confirm they accept your specific type of battery, as well as to inquire about any fees associated with the service.

Lithium primary batteries can be recycled through Call2Recycle and Clean Earth. They also may be accepted at one of our Pennsylvania HHW Collection events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these HHW collection events. You can also contact the manufacturer or your local solid waste authority for additional management options.

Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon

Alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries are extremely common and are used in everyday items such as remote controls, flashlights, and children’s toys. Common sizes include AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-Volt. Recent laws have restricted the use of mercury in the manufacturing process of alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries. Therefore, they are no longer considered hazardous and may be disposed of in your normal household trash.

While there are limited options for recycling alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries, Clean Earth in Allentown does offer alkaline and zinc-carbon battery recycling. Please note that Clean Earth may charge fees to recycle these types of batteries. There are also outlets that offer recycling kits, for a fee, that can be used to collect household batteries before being mailed in. The WeRecycle kits from Cirba Solutions and the EasyPak from TerraCycle are two examples.

For residents residing in certain counties, alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries can still be dropped off free of charge thanks to the Authority, County and/or business partnerships absorbing the recycling costs. Please contact your local municipal office to inquire about availability. In addition, residents in counties or municipalities with curbside household hazardous waste collections can often recycle alkaline batteries as part of the curbside HHW program.

Lithium Button

Lithium button batteries are button cells used primarily in cameras, hearing aids, watches, and key fobs. Lithium is a highly reactive metal and when collected with other button cells may present a hazard if not fully discharged. Lithium button cells do not contain mercury.

Recycling options in Pennsylvania include Clean Earth, as well as one of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events held across the Commonwealth. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these HHW collection events.

Silver Oxide

Silver oxide batteries are button cells commonly used in watches, toys, and calculators. Most jewelry stores will recycle the silver oxide battery when you bring your watch in to have the battery replaced. Otherwise, this battery type may be accepted at one of the Commonwealth’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these HHW collection events. In addition, Clean Earth may recycle this battery type for a fee.

Zinc-Air

Zinc-air batteries are button cells used primarily for hearing aids. They can be taken to one of the Commonwealth’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program webpage contains a complete list of these HHW collection events. In addition, Clean Earth may recycle this battery type for a fee.

Additional Information

Other useful household battery recycling information can be found via the following links:

Used Household Batteries (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

What Can I Recycle? (Call2Recycle)

How to Recycle Single-Use Batteries (Earth911)

How to Recycle Rechargeable Batteries (Earth911)

Safe Battery Disposal (Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority)

If you have specific questions regarding household battery recycling, please contact us at ra-eprecyclepa@pa.gov.

Household Battery Recycling

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Rechargeable Batteries

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Single-use Batteries

Additional Information