Battery Recycling Roundup
Recycling batteries and e-waste is about more than feel good points related to doing something you’re “supposed to” do.
Keeping heavy metals out of the landfill prevents these metals from reacting to rain water that seeps into the landfill forming a toxic soup, called leachate, that can get into the ground water, contaminating the supply.
Battery Types We Recycle
Household Batteries
These are the most common types of batteries powering devices you use everyday. Some are rechargeable, you can plug them in to charge and get multiple uses before the battery needs to be replaced. Some are non-rechargeable or single-use, once they are fully discharged, they should be recycled.
Rechargeable
Non-Spillable/Sealed Lead Acid
Small to medium, dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
Formats
- Rectangular
- Custom sizes in hard plastic case
Common Uses
- Wheelchairs
- Scooters
- Golf Carts
- Ride-On Electric Toys
- Boats
- RVs
- Military Aircraft
- Portable Tools
- Field Equipment
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Small to medium, dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
Formats
- Custom sizes in hard or soft plastic case
- Small Cylinder
- Standard AA, AAA Sizes
Common Uses
- Cellphones
- Tablets
- Laptop Computers
- Wireless Accessories
- Power Tools
- Video cameras
- Handheld Electronics
- Electric & Hybrid Automobiles
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
Formats
- AAA
- AA
- C
- D
- Small-Cylinder
- Plastic Film-Wrapped Packs of Cylindrical Cells
- Custom Sizes in Hard Plastic Case
Common Uses
- Older Cellphones
- Older Laptop Computers
- Power Tools
- Handheld Electronics
- Toys
- R/C Hobby Vehicles
- Medical Equipment
Nickel Metal Hydride
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable
Formats
- AAA
- AA
- C
- D
- 9 volt
- 12 volt
- Plastic Film-Wrapped Packs of Cylindrical Cells
- Small-Cylinder
- Custom Sizes
Common Uses
- Older Cell phones
- Older Laptop Computers
- Power Tools
- Cameras
- Handheld Electronics
- R/C Hobby Vehicles
- Early Hybrid Automobiles
Non-Rechargeable
Alkaline & Zinc Carbon
Small to medium, dry-cell batteries, sealed, Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable. Zinc carbon batteries are labeled general purpose or heavy duty.
Formats
- AAA
- AA
- C
- D
- 9-Volt
- Button Cells
Common Uses
- Smoke Detectors
- Cameras
- Toys
- Watches
- Handheld Electronics
Lithium (Primary)
Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.
Formats
- Button Cells
- AAA
- AA
- 9-Volt
- Small-Cylinder
- Custom Sizes
Common Uses
- Watches
- Cameras
- Handheld Electronics
- Tire-Pressure Sensors
- Alarms
- Memory Backup
- High-Temperature Applications
- Pacemakers
- Remote Car Locks
- Smoke Detectors
Mercury/Silver Oxide/Zinc Air
Small to large dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.
Formats
- AA
- 9-Volt
- Button cells
- High- Voltage Small-Cylinder
- Custom Sizes
Common Uses
- Watches
- Hearing Aids
- Cameras
- Aircraft
- Medical Devices
- Military
Vehicle Batteries
While still very large and possibly intimidating, these less spillable and more user friendly batteries power our cars, motorcycles, boats and other motorized vehicles.
Electric Automotive
Small to medium, dry-cell batteries, sealed, Small dry-cell batteries, Battery from a fully electric vehicle. Large Li-ion dry cell, sealed, rechargeable
Formats
- Full Assembly
- Packs
- Cells
Common Uses
- Fully Electric Vehicles
- Micro Mobility Devices
Hybrid Automotive
Large, dry-cell batteries, NiMH and Li-ion most common, sealed, rechargeable
Formats
- Large pack of small cells
- Cylinders
- Pouches
Common Uses
- Hybrid Automobiles
Automotive Lead Acid
Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable
Formats
- Hard Case, Rectangular
- Multi-Cell
Common Uses
- Automobiles
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Outdoor Power Equipment
VRLA
Medium to large, maintenance-free, vented (VRLA), rechargeable
Formats
- Hard Case, Rectangular
- Multi-Cell
Common Uses
- Automobiles
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Wheelchairs
- Emergency Lighting
- Uninterruptible Power Supply