Old rechargeable batteries can seem harmless, but throwing them in the trash can create a serious safety risk. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can ignite, and that kind of fire can spread quickly once it starts.
According to House Digest, one widely available drop-off option is The Home Depot. For more than 20 years, the retailer and The Battery Network, formerly Call2Recycle, have offered in-store collection points for recyclable rechargeable batteries.
Here's what to know
The range of eligible devices is broad. The Home Depot said it takes rechargeable batteries that weigh no more than 11 pounds and stay below 300 watt-hours, including many batteries from smartphones, cordless phones, cameras, laptops, toys, two-way radios, and other portable electronics — not only packs from power tools or outdoor equipment.
The trash is a particularly bad place for lithium-ion batteries that have been crushed, punctured, or otherwise damaged, because those conditions raise fire risk. Alkaline batteries are different. Though pressure can sometimes make single-use cells spark or rupture, most states and municipalities still allow them in household garbage when recycling is unavailable.
House Digest noted that certain states require many rechargeable batteries to be recycled or disposed of properly.
More background
Battery-powered devices are everywhere. A single household may have rechargeable batteries in a drill, leaf blower, laptop, phone, kids' toys, and more, and worn-out batteries may be tucked away until someone finally decides to deal with them.
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Battery labels are not always intuitive, so checking before you go to The Home Depot can help you confirm whether a battery qualifies.
House Digest noted that watt-hours can be found by multiplying voltage by amp-hours; a 40V 5.0 Ah battery, for example, equals 200 watt-hours.
What can be done?
If you have old rechargeable batteries at home, sort them before your next errand run. Separate rechargeable batteries from single-use alkaline ones, and check each rechargeable battery's weight and watt-hour rating.
Before making the trip, use The Battery Network website to see whether your nearby Home Depot participates. Collection bins are commonly placed by the entrance or customer service area, and store staff can point you to them.
Instead of throwing old batteries into a trash can or garage bin, keep a small container for used rechargeables until you are ready to drop them off. That kind of routine can lower the odds that a damaged battery will end up where it should not.
Rules for alkaline batteries still depend on where you live. In many places, they can go out with regular household trash when recycling is not offered, while rechargeable batteries more often need to be recycled or handled by a hazardous household waste program.
Where can I learn more?
Rechargeable batteries are much more dangerous once they're damaged or mixed in with trash.
• At retail stores, battery recycling drop-off bins make safe disposal routine.
• Across the U.K., banned vapes tossed each week have fueled a rise in battery fires.
• Scientists have used orange peels in new lithium-ion recycling methods to recover critical materials.
• In Massachusetts, salvage yards face old EV battery bottlenecks when recyclers are scarce.
This underscores why it helps to sort batteries and keep them out of the trash. Proper disposal also matters for whether those valuable materials can be recovered.
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