Real-world examples of recycling batteries: best practices that actually work

Let’s skip the theory and start with what this actually looks like in real life. Here are some of the best examples of recycling batteries: best practices you can literally copy the next time a battery dies on you.

Think about three common situations:

You replace the batteries in your TV remote, your wireless mouse gives up, and your old phone finally won’t hold a charge. In each of these, you’re dealing with a different type of battery, and the best practices—and the examples of how to recycle them—look a little different.

For single‑use alkaline batteries (the classic AA, AAA, C, D): many U.S. households now collect them in a small container at home and drop them at a local household hazardous waste (HHW) event or a municipal collection point a few times a year. Some cities, like Seattle and San Francisco, promote these drop‑offs as part of their waste reduction plans.

For rechargeable batteries in electronics (lithium‑ion, NiMH, etc.): retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Staples, and Best Buy host no‑cost collection bins at store entrances through programs such as Call2Recycle. This is one of the most visible examples of recycling batteries: best practices for consumers—no appointment, no forms, just drop and go.

For phone and laptop batteries: many manufacturers offer take‑back and mail‑back programs. Apple, for instance, will accept old iPhones and certain devices for recycling at their stores and through mail‑in trade‑in programs.

These are all real examples of how battery recycling fits into normal life, not just something that happens in a distant industrial plant.

Why these examples of recycling batteries: best practices matter

Before we go deeper into examples, it helps to understand why this is more than just a feel‑good habit.

Used batteries can:

• Leak heavy metals and corrosive chemicals into soil and water when landfilled.
• Spark fires in trash trucks and recycling facilities—lithium‑ion batteries are a frequent culprit.
• Waste valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper that could be reused.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that improperly disposed lithium‑ion batteries are a growing fire risk in the waste stream and encourages separate collection and recycling.
You can read more about their guidance here: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries.

So when we talk about the best examples of recycling batteries: best practices, we’re really talking about three goals working together:

• Keeping toxic materials out of landfills and incinerators.
• Preventing fires during trash collection and processing.
• Recovering metals so we don’t have to mine as much from the ground.

Real examples include: how different battery types should be recycled

Different batteries, different rules. Here are concrete examples of recycling batteries: best practices by type, so you’re not guessing.

Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9‑volt)

Common example: The batteries from your TV remote or kids’ toys.

In many U.S. states, alkaline batteries are legally allowed in household trash. But more cities are encouraging recycling as capacity grows. A best example of responsible handling looks like this:

• At home, you keep a clearly labeled jar or box for dead alkaline batteries.
• When it’s full, you check your city or county website for drop‑off sites or HHW events. Many local governments list options; for instance, Los Angeles County and King County (Seattle area) both offer guidance online.
• You bring them in during a scheduled event or to a permanent facility.

Some specialized companies also offer prepaid mail‑back boxes for alkaline batteries, which can be a strong option for offices or apartment buildings.

Rechargeable household batteries (NiMH, NiCd, small lithium‑ion)

Common example: Camera batteries, power‑tool packs, rechargeable AA’s, or the battery inside a cordless phone.

This is where retailer programs shine as examples of recycling batteries: best practices. A typical best‑practice routine looks like this:

• You remove the battery from the device if it’s user‑replaceable.
• You tape over the terminals (especially for lithium‑ion and NiCd) with non‑conductive tape to prevent short circuits.
• You store them in a non‑metal container until you have a small batch.
• On your next trip to a participating store (like Home Depot or Lowe’s in the U.S. and Canada), you drop them into the Call2Recycle bin.

Call2Recycle reports collecting tens of millions of pounds of batteries across North America each year, a real example of a large‑scale program turning best practices into everyday habits.
Learn more at: https://www.call2recycle.org.

Button and coin cells (watch, hearing aid, key fob batteries)

Common example: The flat silver battery in your watch or car key.

Older button cells often contained mercury; newer ones typically don’t, but they’re still small, easy to lose, and hazardous if swallowed.

Best‑practice examples include:

• Jewelers and watch repair shops that accept old watch batteries when you replace them.
• Hearing clinics and audiologists that collect used hearing aid batteries, sometimes in partnership with recycling programs.
• Municipal HHW programs that specifically list button batteries as a priority waste.

Because of the ingestion risk, especially for children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and medical sources like Mayo Clinic emphasize keeping these out of reach and disposing of them promptly.
For health information on button battery ingestion, see Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org.

Car batteries (lead‑acid)

Common example: The big 12‑volt battery under your car’s hood.

These are among the best examples of successful battery recycling. In the U.S., lead‑acid car batteries have a recycling rate often cited above 95%, thanks to:

• Core charges that you get back when you return the old battery to the retailer.
• Auto shops and parts stores that take back your old battery on the spot.
• Laws in many states that require retailers to accept used batteries when selling new ones.

The loop is simple: you bring your car in for a new battery, and the old one is automatically sent into a well‑established recycling stream where the lead and plastic are recovered and reused.

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries

Common example: The large lithium‑ion battery pack in a Tesla, Nissan Leaf, or Chevy Bolt.

EV batteries are newer territory, but 2024–2025 has seen rapid growth in recycling capacity. Best examples of recycling batteries: best practices at this scale usually include:

• Manufacturers offering take‑back programs when an EV battery reaches end of life.
• Batteries being repurposed first for stationary energy storage (for example, storing solar power for buildings) before final recycling.
• Specialized recyclers mechanically shredding and chemically processing the packs to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, and other metals.

The U.S. Department of Energy supports research and programs like the ReCell Center to improve EV battery recycling.
More information: https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/battery-recycling.

For EV owners, the best practice is simple: never attempt to remove or dispose of an EV pack yourself. Work through the dealership or authorized service center so the pack enters a safe, traceable recycling route.

Step‑by‑step examples of recycling batteries: best practices at home

Let’s zoom in on what this looks like in your home, because that’s where most of us actually touch batteries.

Create a “battery parking lot”

One of the best examples of a low‑effort system is a small, clearly labeled container in a kitchen cabinet or hallway closet. Every time a battery dies, it goes there—not the trash.

Families that do this consistently often:

• Use a metal tin or sturdy plastic box.
• Label it “Dead Batteries – Do Not Trash.”
• Keep it out of reach of small children.

If you have lithium‑ion or other rechargeable batteries, you can add a simple habit: tape over the terminals with masking or electrical tape before dropping them in.

Make drop‑off part of your existing errands

The best examples of recycling batteries: best practices don’t require a special trip. People who stick with it usually:

• Check which nearby stores have battery recycling bins (Call2Recycle’s locator is handy for this).
• Keep a small bag in the car with dead batteries.
• Drop them off when they’re already going to buy paint, lightbulbs, or office supplies.

By piggybacking on errands you already run, you avoid the “I’ll do it later” trap.

Teach kids and roommates the system

Some of the most effective real examples include a bit of household training:

• Show kids where the “battery parking lot” is and explain why batteries don’t go in the trash.
• Ask roommates or partners to put dead batteries in the container instead of leaving them in junk drawers.

When everyone knows the system, the batteries actually make it to the right place.

Workplace and school examples of recycling batteries: best practices

Homes matter, but offices, schools, and campuses go through huge numbers of batteries too. Here’s how the best examples look in those settings.

Offices and corporate campuses

Many companies now:

• Place clearly marked collection containers in copy rooms and near IT help desks.
• Work with vendors that provide prepaid mail‑back boxes for mixed household and small rechargeable batteries.
• Include battery recycling instructions in onboarding materials or sustainability trainings.

These programs often track weight or volume collected, turning battery recycling into a visible sustainability metric.

Schools and universities

Some of the most inspiring examples of recycling batteries: best practices come from student‑led efforts. Common patterns include:

• Environmental clubs setting up collection points in libraries or student centers.
• Facilities teams coordinating with local governments or recycling companies for periodic pickups.
• Science teachers using battery recycling as a real‑world case study in chemistry or environmental science classes.

Universities sometimes go further, integrating battery collection into campus e‑waste events, where students and staff can bring old electronics and batteries all at once.

2024–2025 trends: how best practices are evolving

Battery recycling isn’t standing still. A few trends are shaping the best examples of recycling batteries: best practices right now.

Growing lithium‑ion capacity

As more devices and vehicles use lithium‑ion batteries, recyclers are scaling up. New facilities in North America and Europe are focusing on:

• Higher recovery rates for lithium and other critical minerals.
• Safer pre‑processing to reduce fire risk.
• Better tracking of batteries from collection to final processing.

This means more local options over time and, ideally, lower costs for manufacturers using recycled materials.

Policy and extended producer responsibility (EPR)

Several U.S. states and countries are considering or enacting laws that require battery producers to help fund and manage end‑of‑life collection and recycling. These policies tend to:

• Expand free drop‑off options for consumers.
• Standardize labeling and information about where to take used batteries.
• Push companies to design batteries that are easier to remove and recycle.

As these policies spread, we can expect even more real examples of convenient, well‑run battery recycling systems.

Better labeling and consumer guidance

You may notice clearer icons and warnings on devices and batteries, indicating:

• Which type of battery is inside.
• Whether it should be recycled and not trashed.
• Safety warnings about damage or fire risk.

Combined with online tools like the EPA’s recycling pages and municipal waste guides, it’s getting easier to figure out what to do with each battery you touch.

Common mistakes to avoid (with better examples to copy)

Even people who care about the environment sometimes get tripped up. Here are a few frequent missteps, with better examples of what to do instead.

Mistake: Tossing loose lithium‑ion batteries into the regular recycling bin.

Better example: Place each loose lithium‑ion battery (like from a vape pen, power bank, or camera) in a small plastic bag or tape the terminals, then drop them at a designated battery collection point or HHW facility.

Mistake: Stockpiling swollen or damaged phone or laptop batteries in a drawer.

Better example: If a battery is swollen, hot, or leaking, handle it with care, avoid puncturing it, and contact your local HHW program or device manufacturer for specific instructions. Many local governments provide safety tips on their websites; you can also check EPA guidance on damaged lithium‑ion batteries.

Mistake: Assuming alkaline batteries are “harmless” and always safe in the trash.

Better example: Whenever practical, follow your local guidance to recycle alkaline batteries through HHW events or mail‑back programs. Even if it’s not required, it’s a better environmental choice.

FAQ: real examples of recycling batteries and best practices

What are some simple examples of recycling batteries at home?

A straightforward example of a home system is keeping a small labeled container for dead batteries, taping the terminals of rechargeable ones, and bringing them to a nearby retailer with a battery collection bin once a month. Another example of good practice is adding battery drop‑off to your routine when you attend local HHW events.

Can you give an example of a place that takes all kinds of small batteries?

Many hardware and electronics retailers in North America partner with programs like Call2Recycle to accept a wide range of rechargeable batteries and some single‑use types. Your local HHW facility is another strong example of a place that often accepts mixed household batteries, including button cells and lithium‑ion packs.

Are there examples of batteries I can safely throw in the trash?

In many U.S. states, single‑use alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9‑volt) are allowed in regular household trash. However, local rules vary, and environmental agencies increasingly recommend recycling when possible. Rechargeable, lithium‑ion, button cells, and car batteries should never go in the trash.

What’s an example of best practice for recycling car batteries?

The best example is returning your old lead‑acid battery to the auto shop or parts store when you buy a new one. In most places, they’ll take it automatically, often with a core charge refund. The store then sends the battery into a well‑established recycling system where the lead and plastic are recovered.

How do I find local examples of battery recycling programs near me?

Start with your city or county solid waste or sanitation department website—they usually list HHW facilities and events. The U.S. EPA also provides guidance and links to local resources at https://www.epa.gov/recycle. For rechargeable batteries, Call2Recycle’s online locator is a useful tool to find participating retail drop‑off sites.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: keep batteries out of the trash, give them a dedicated “parking lot” in your home or office, and use the collection options that already exist around you. The best examples of recycling batteries: best practices aren’t complicated—they’re just consistent.