Real‑world examples of recyclable batteries and how to handle them

Everyday examples of recyclable batteries you probably already own

Let’s start with the batteries most people actually have at home. When people ask for examples of examples of recyclable batteries, they’re rarely thinking about some obscure industrial cell from a lab. They mean the stuff in their kitchen drawer, garage, or junk box.

In a typical U.S. household, the best examples of recyclable batteries you’re likely to find include:

• Single‑use alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9‑volt)
• Rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries
• Lithium‑ion batteries from phones, laptops, tablets, and power tools
• Button and coin cells from watches, key fobs, and hearing aids
• Car batteries (lead‑acid and newer EV packs)

Each of these is recyclable, but not in the same way. Some can go into retail collection bins, others need drop‑off at a household hazardous waste site, and a few must go through specialized programs.

Alkaline batteries: the most common example of a recyclable household battery

For many people, the first example of a battery they think of is the humble AA or AAA alkaline. These single‑use batteries power TV remotes, toys, flashlights, and wireless mice.

Alkaline batteries used to be a problem because of mercury content. Modern alkaline cells sold in the U.S. are typically mercury‑free, which is why some states allow them in the regular trash. But “allowed” doesn’t mean “ideal.” They still contain steel, zinc, and manganese that can be recovered.

In 2024–2025, more retailers and municipalities are treating alkaline cells as a standard recyclable battery stream rather than disposable waste. Many local programs accept them at household hazardous waste events or permanent collection sites.

Real examples include:

• A box of spent AA batteries from kids’ toys
• The pile of mixed AAA and AA cells from TV remotes and game controllers
• D‑cell batteries from older flashlights or lanterns

If you’re looking for practical examples of recyclable batteries to start with, these are the low‑hanging fruit: easy to recognize, easy to collect, and increasingly easy to recycle through local programs or mail‑back services.

For U.S. local guidance, check your city or county solid waste department, or reference the EPA’s materials management resources: https://www.epa.gov/recycle

Rechargeable NiMH batteries: one of the best examples for reducing waste long‑term

Rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are a step up in both performance and sustainability. They show up in:

• High‑drain electronics like digital cameras
• Wireless game controllers
• Some cordless phones and small appliances

NiMH cells are one of the best examples of recyclable batteries because they tick three boxes:

1. They replace dozens of single‑use alkaline batteries over their lifetime.
2. They contain valuable metals like nickel that recyclers actually want.
3. They are widely accepted at retail drop‑off locations and community recycling events.

Programs coordinated by organizations like Call2Recycle (a nonprofit battery stewardship group in North America) have made NiMH recycling fairly straightforward. You’ll often see collection bins at hardware stores, electronics retailers, and municipal facilities.

From a sustainability standpoint, NiMH batteries are a textbook example of how design plus recycling can cut waste: you use fewer physical batteries overall, and when they finally die, the metals can be recovered and re‑used.

For more on rechargeable battery safety and handling, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides updated advice here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Battery-Safety

Lithium‑ion batteries: modern examples of recyclable batteries in devices and vehicles

If you own a smartphone, laptop, cordless drill, or e‑bike, you already have some of the most important examples of recyclable batteries in your life: lithium‑ion (Li‑ion) cells.

Common real examples include:

• The flat battery pack inside your smartphone
• Laptop and tablet batteries
• Power tool packs from drills, saws, and lawn equipment
• E‑bike and e‑scooter battery packs
• Portable power banks and backup chargers

Lithium‑ion batteries are where the recycling conversation is moving fastest in 2024–2025. With electric vehicle (EV) sales growing and more devices running on Li‑ion, the volume of spent batteries is increasing sharply.

Why these are high‑priority examples of recyclable batteries:

• They contain valuable materials such as cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper.
• They pose fire risks if crushed, punctured, or tossed in regular trash or curbside bins.
• They’re central to climate and energy policy, so governments and companies are investing heavily in recycling capacity.

In the U.S., the Department of Energy’s ReCell Center and related initiatives are working on higher‑efficiency Li‑ion recycling processes: https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/recell-center

If you want examples of safe handling:

• Tape the terminals or place each battery in its own bag to prevent short circuits.
• Take small electronics to e‑waste events or retailer take‑back programs.
• Never put lithium‑ion batteries in curbside recycling or household trash.

These modern Li‑ion packs are arguably the most important examples of recyclable batteries to manage responsibly right now, given their growth and potential hazards.

Button and coin cells: small but important examples of recyclable batteries

Button and coin cells are the tiny round batteries found in:

• Watches and fitness trackers
• Key fobs and car remotes
• Hearing aids
• Small medical devices like glucose meters
• Calculators and small toys

These are often overlooked, but they’re a clear example of a battery type that should never go in the trash. Older button cells sometimes contain mercury or silver; newer ones often use lithium or zinc technologies but still pose ingestion and environmental risks.

Real examples include:

• A handful of used CR2032 lithium coin cells from key fobs
• Spent hearing‑aid batteries collected over a year
• Old watch batteries removed during a battery swap

Because they’re small and easy to swallow, button batteries are also a serious health hazard for children. The U.S. National Capital Poison Center and the CDC both warn about ingestion risks and recommend immediate medical attention if swallowed: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/button-battery-safety/index.html

From a recycling standpoint, treat these as hazardous and take them to:

• Household hazardous waste facilities
• Electronics recycling events
• Retailers that specifically list button or coin cell acceptance

They may be tiny, but they’re textbook examples of recyclable batteries that require careful handling and specialized collection.

Lead‑acid car batteries: classic examples of recyclable batteries with high recovery rates

If you drive a gasoline or diesel car, you likely own one of the most successful examples of recyclable batteries in the world: the lead‑acid starter battery under your hood.

Lead‑acid batteries are used in:

• Conventional vehicles (starter, lighting, ignition)
• Backup power systems (uninterruptible power supplies)
• Some renewable energy storage setups

This category is a rare good‑news story. In the U.S., lead‑acid batteries have one of the highest recycling rates of any consumer product. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nearly all automotive lead‑acid batteries are collected and recycled, with recovery rates often reported above 95%.

Real examples include:

• The dead 12‑volt battery your mechanic just replaced
• UPS (uninterruptible power supply) batteries from office equipment
• Deep‑cycle batteries used in RVs or marine applications

These are strong examples of how a closed‑loop system can work:

• You pay a core charge when you buy a new car battery.
• You get that charge back when you return the old one.
• The old battery is sent to a recycler, where the lead, plastic, and acid are recovered.

Never throw a lead‑acid battery in the trash or leave it outdoors. Always return it to an auto parts store, dealership, or recycling center that accepts them. EPA guidance on lead‑acid battery recycling is available here: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lead-acid-batteries

Electric vehicle (EV) packs: emerging examples of recyclable batteries at scale

Electric vehicles are redefining what most people think of when they hear examples of recyclable batteries. Instead of a small pack under the hood, we’re talking about hundreds or thousands of individual lithium‑ion cells bundled into a large, high‑voltage pack.

Real‑world examples include:

• Battery packs from fully electric cars and SUVs
• Plug‑in hybrid vehicle battery packs
• Large packs from electric buses and delivery vans

As of 2024–2025, the first big wave of EV batteries is beginning to reach end‑of‑life, and recycling infrastructure is racing to keep up. The U.S. Department of Energy and various private recyclers are building facilities that can:

• Recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper
• Process packs safely without fires or toxic releases
• Feed recovered materials back into new battery production

EV packs are not something you’ll drop off at a local store. They’re a technical and logistical example of large‑scale battery recycling, usually handled through:

• Dealer take‑back programs
• Manufacturer‑run collection and recycling partnerships
• Specialized transportation and processing companies

If you own an EV, your best move is simple: when the battery needs replacement, work with the dealership or manufacturer. They already have the pathways in place for these high‑value examples of recyclable batteries.

Where and how to recycle: turning examples into action

Knowing the examples of recyclable batteries is only half the battle. The next step is actually getting them into the right hands.

Here’s how to handle the most common categories in practice:

• Household alkaline and NiMH batteries: Store them in a dry container, tape terminals on rechargeables, and bring them to household hazardous waste events, local recycling centers, or retailer drop‑off bins listed by programs such as Call2Recycle.

• Lithium‑ion batteries from devices: Keep them out of curbside bins. Tape terminals or bag individually, and take them to electronics recycling events or retailers that accept rechargeable batteries and devices.

• Button and coin cells: Store in a secure container out of children’s reach. Take them to hazardous waste facilities or electronics recyclers. Never leave them loose where kids can access them.

• Lead‑acid car batteries: Return them to auto parts stores, dealerships, or recycling centers. In many states, retailers are legally required to accept them when you buy a new one.

• EV and large storage batteries: Coordinate with the vehicle manufacturer, dealer, or system installer. These are industrial‑scale examples of recyclable batteries and shouldn’t be handled independently.

If you want local, official guidance, start with your city or county solid waste website, then cross‑check with the EPA’s resources on household hazardous waste and battery recycling.

Why these examples of recyclable batteries matter for 2024–2025

There’s a reason policymakers and companies keep coming back to these examples of recyclable batteries in sustainability plans.

From a 2024–2025 perspective:

• Resource pressure is rising. Demand for lithium, nickel, and cobalt is expanding with EV and energy storage growth. Recycling turns old batteries into a domestic resource stream.
• Fire incidents are up. Waste facilities are reporting more fires from lithium‑ion batteries tossed into trash or curbside recycling. Proper handling of these examples of recyclable batteries directly reduces that risk.
• Climate and pollution goals depend on it. Recycling batteries lowers the need for new mining, cuts lifecycle emissions, and reduces toxic releases from improper disposal.

The bottom line: when you treat those scattered batteries at home as real examples of recyclable batteries instead of junk, you’re participating in a larger materials system that’s becoming more important every year.

FAQ: common questions about examples of recyclable batteries

Q1. What are some common examples of recyclable batteries from everyday life?
Everyday examples of recyclable batteries include alkaline AA and AAA cells, rechargeable NiMH batteries, lithium‑ion batteries from phones, laptops, and power tools, button and coin cells from watches and key fobs, and lead‑acid car batteries. All of these can be recycled through the right channels, though not in curbside bins.

Q2. Are AA and AAA alkaline batteries really recyclable, or should I just throw them away?
Modern alkaline AA and AAA batteries are technically recyclable, and many programs now accept them. Some states allow them in household trash, but recycling is better because the metals can be recovered. Check your local solid waste authority or hazardous waste program to see if they accept alkaline batteries.

Q3. What is an example of a battery that should never go in the regular trash?
A clear example of a battery that should never go in the trash is a lithium‑ion battery from a phone, laptop, or power tool. These can spark fires if damaged in garbage trucks or landfills. Button and coin cells, older rechargeable batteries, and lead‑acid car batteries also should never go in regular trash.

Q4. How can I tell if a battery is recyclable if it doesn’t say so on the label?
Most modern consumer batteries are recyclable in some form. If you can identify the type—alkaline, NiMH, lithium‑ion, button cell, or lead‑acid—you can usually find a program that accepts it. When in doubt, treat it as recyclable and bring it to a household hazardous waste event or electronics recycling drop‑off.

Q5. Is it dangerous to store a lot of used batteries at home while I wait to recycle them?
It can be, if they’re stored carelessly. To reduce risk, tape the terminals of lithium‑ion and other rechargeable batteries, keep all batteries in a cool, dry place, and avoid piling them where they can be crushed or punctured. Don’t store large numbers of damaged or swollen batteries; prioritize those for prompt drop‑off at a recycling or hazardous waste facility.

If you use these real‑world examples of recyclable batteries as your reference points, you’ll be well on your way to handling them safely and keeping valuable materials in circulation instead of in the landfill.