How to Responsibly Dispose of Single-Use Household Batteries

Every year, Americans buy almost 3 billion dry-cell batteries for things like remote controls, flashlights, toys, clocks, and smoke detectors. Here’s how you can responsibly dispose of single-use household batteries.

The EPA says the average person throws away about eight household batteries each year. Most of these are standard alkaline batteries like AA, AAA, C, and D, which are common in every home. While single-use alkaline batteries are less hazardous than lithium-ion or rechargeable NiMH batteries, it’s still important to know your disposal options before throwing them out.

Never place batteries of any type in your curbside recycling bin. Batteries can damage recycling equipment and, if lithium batteries are mixed in, cause fires. Always use designated battery collection programs.

Can You Throw Alkaline Batteries in the Trash?

In most states, you can throw alkaline batteries in the trash, but it’s better not to.

Since modern alkaline batteries no longer have mercury, most states allow you to throw them out with regular trash. Some local waste departments even suggest this, as there aren’t many recycling options for alkaline batteries right now.

California, however, is a notable exception. There, state law prohibits disposing of any battery in household trash. Other states with battery disposal restrictions include Vermont, and a growing number of states are implementing similar requirements.

Why Alkaline Battery Recycling Is Economically Challenging

If you’ve wondered why it’s harder to find recycling options for AA batteries than for, say, car batteries or lithium-ion cells, the answer comes down to economics.

Lead-acid car batteries achieve a remarkable 99% recycling rate because the lead inside is valuable enough to cover collection and processing costs. In fact, recyclers often pay for spent car batteries. Lithium-ion batteries contain increasingly valuable cobalt, nickel, and lithium, making recycling economical. Alkaline batteries are made of materials that aren’t worth much. Industry studies show it costs more to collect and recycle them than the materials are worth. That’s why there isn’t a break-even recycling option for alkaline batteries in most of the U.S.

Because of these costs, most alkaline battery recycling programs charge a fee, and free drop-off sites are rare compared to rechargeable battery programs. Some states are changing this with laws that make manufacturers pay for recycling.

What’s Inside Household Batteries

Standard alkaline batteries are made mostly of common metals, not the hazardous materials found in older batteries. Since these metals aren’t valuable, recycling them isn’t profitable, so most places don’t accept them.

• Steel casing: The outer shell that gives the battery its familiar cylindrical shape. Steel is readily recyclable.
• Manganese dioxide: Part of the cathode mixture, accounting for approximately 8.5 grams in a typical AA battery, this is a common industrial chemical with relatively low value.
• Zinc: The anode material, which is about 3.7 grams of an AA battery’s weight, while recoverable, is abundant and inexpensive.
• Potassium hydroxide: This alkaline electrolyte gives these batteries their name. It is the corrosive substance that can leak from old batteries.
• Brass pin and fabric separator: These internal components help the battery function.

Before 1996, alkaline batteries also contained mercury. The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act eliminated mercury from household batteries, substantially reducing their environmental risk. Today’s alkaline batteries are classified as non-hazardous waste under federal law in most states.

How to Recycle Single-Use Batteries

Even though recycling household batteries can be costly, there are still some ways to do it.

Retail Drop-Off

Batteries Plus stores accept alkaline batteries for recycling, usually for a fee. Call your local store first to check if they accept them and to find out the current price.

Some local hardware stores also take batteries for recycling. Both independent and chain stores may offer this, but their policies differ. Always call ahead to make sure.

Home Depot and Lowe’s accept rechargeable batteries through The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle), but they don’t take single-use alkaline batteries.

Best Buy’s recycling program also focuses on rechargeable batteries and electronics, not single-use alkaline batteries.

Mail-In Programs

The Battery Network Store sells mail-in recycling boxes for single-use batteries. You buy a box, fill it with used batteries, and send it back with the prepaid label when it’s full.

Cirba Solutions, formerly known as Big Green Box, offers recycling kits for all common household batteries, including alkaline batteries.

Terracycle Regulated Waste offers battery recycling containers mainly for businesses, but consumers can use them too.

Municipal Programs

Many communities collect batteries through household hazardous waste (HHW) programs, either at permanent sites or during special events. Even though alkaline batteries aren’t considered hazardous waste, many HHW programs accept them for convenience. You can use Earth911’s recycling search to find local options or contact your city’s waste department.

State Programs: Recycle For Free

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are making battery recycling easier. These laws require manufacturers to pay for collection and recycling, so consumers pay nothing.

• Vermont has an EPR program operated by The Battery Network, which has significantly increased collection rates.
• California’s Producer stewardship programs will require all battery manufacturers to comply by April 2027.
• Washington: The state passed a portable battery disposal ban that will become law in January 2027.
• Illinois: While the state required producers to submit stewardship plans by January 2026, its disposal ban will not be effective until January 2028.
• Connecticut: An EPR system will be effective January 2027.
• Nebraska: A disposal ban will be enforced starting in January 2028.
• Colorado: The state’s Battery Stewardship Act requires producer participation in its recycling system by August 2027.

Visit The Battery Network’s state law page to see the latest requirements for your state.

How to Handle Spent Batteries

Remove dead batteries from devices as soon as possible. If left in devices, they can leak potassium hydroxide and damage your equipment. Leaks also make recycling harder.

Store used batteries in a non-metal container, like a cardboard box or plastic tub, and keep them in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent sparks and reduces fire risk.

Cover the terminals on 9-volt batteries with electrical, masking, or duct tape before storing or throwing them away. Exposed terminals can cause sparks or short circuits if they touch metal or other batteries.

Keep single-use batteries separate from rechargeable ones. Alkaline and lithium-ion batteries need different handling, so don’t put them in the same collection container.

Mixing batteries with other recyclables can have a negative impact on the recycling process. Batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, can cause damage to recycling equipment and pose safety hazards to workers. It is important to never put batteries in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, use special battery collection programs to dispose of them properly.

One way to reduce single-use battery waste is to switch to rechargeable batteries. Modern nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries can be used hundreds of times, work well in most devices, and can be recycled for free at major stores when they reach the end of their lifespan. Low-self-discharge NiMH batteries hold their charge for months, making them suitable for low-use devices like remote controls.

While single-use alkaline batteries are safer to dispose of in regular trash in most states, recycling options are available for those who want to minimize landfill waste. It is important to check your state’s rules on battery disposal, explore mail-in recycling programs if local options are limited, and consider using rechargeable batteries for frequently used devices.

As more states implement Extended Producer Responsibility laws, battery recycling will become more accessible. In the meantime, it is essential to be informed about recycling options and make responsible choices when disposing of batteries. If you have batteries ready for recycling but are unsure of what to do, refer to Earth911 guides for guidance.

By following proper battery disposal practices and considering the switch to rechargeable batteries, individuals can contribute to reducing battery waste and promoting sustainable recycling practices. Remember, the choices we make today impact the environment for future generations, so it is important to prioritize responsible waste management.