Rechargeable Batteries

Alternative ways to recycle
Illegal in Garbage & Drains
Burbank Recycle Center Drop-Off Hazardous Waste Drop-Off E-Waste Drop-Off Special Instructions

For tips on identifying battery types and storage tips go to the Battery page.

Drop off at a S.A.F.E. Collection Center, the Burbank Recycle Center or find particapating retailer locations at www.call2recycle.org which includes many of the sites listed in the Alternative Ways to Recycle section below. (Note: Only Burbank residents can drop off at Burbank Recycle Center).

Please do not put single use (alkaline) batteries in collection bins designed for RECHARGABLES batteries.

 

Disposal Instructions
Batteries can start fires when their terminals are allowed to touch, so put electrical tape on each battery terminal. Next, place batteries into a Ziploc bag and bring it to a designated battery collection program. 

Never Throw in the Garbage

Batteries are banned from the garbage because they contain metals and other toxic and corrosive chemicals that can leach into the environment. All batteries, including sizes AAA, AA, C and D, need to be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

Lowes

Lowe's Recycling Program

Lowe’s accepts rechargeable batteries and CFLs at any of their store locations for free recycling. Find the nearest Lowe’s.

Office_Depot

The Office Depot Battery Recycling Program

Office Depot allows consumers to bring their rechargeable batteries to any location for free recycling. Find the nearest Office Depot.

Best-Buy-logo

Best Buy's Electronics and Appliances Recycling Program

Best Buy will take back rechargeable batteries as well as the following: battery backups (UPS), button batteries, cellphone batteries and laptop batteries. They do not accept single-use, car or other wet cell batteries. Find out more about Best Buy’s recycling program.

call2recycle

Recycle With Call2Recycle

Call2Recycle is a no-cost recycling program with collection sites all across the United States and Canada. They have locations that accept devices containing lithium-ion batteries. Learn more about Call2Recycle.

Cirba Solutions Battery Recycling

Cirba Solutions offers mail-in battery recycling kits. Their programs aim to help people recycle their batteries properly and conveniently. Learn more about Cirba Solutions.

The Big Green Box Battery Recycling Program

The Big Green Box is a mail-in battery recycling program for both residences and businesses. Their system is simple: Order a box, fill it up with your used batteries and then ship it back to the company’s EPA-approved recycling center.

Did You Know?

Battery Explodes in Garbage Truck

One battery recently caused an explosion in a UK garbage truck, starting a fire and contaminating over six tons of recycling. Because batteries contain chemicals that can ignite, it is important to dispose of them correctly, and not just toss them in with other trash or recycling.

Battery Technology Innovations

“A battery will do for the electricity supply chain what refrigeration did to our food supply chain,” said MIT electrochemist Donald Sadoway in a Grist article. Sadoway and his peers are developing new battery technology using materials such as molten metal and saltwater. The energy storage capacity of these technologies could lead to a new era for electric cars and the electricity grid.