Lithium-ion batteries are in everything from smartphones to electric vehicles - and they cause approximately 5,000 US trash fires + landfill fires each year because consumers throw them away. This guide covers safe disposal, what to do with damaged or swollen batteries, and the growing market for EV battery second-life. Every US household generates 20-50 lithium battery items per year (phones, laptops, power tools, etc.).
Where to recycle lithium batteries (USA, ranked)
| Battery type | Where to drop off | Cost |
|---|
| Lithium-ion (small - phone, tablet, laptop) | Call2Recycle bins at Staples, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes | Free |
| Lithium-ion (large - power tool, e-bike) | Same Call2Recycle bins; some retailers limit size | Free |
| Lithium primary (single-use) | Call2Recycle bins | Free |
| Lithium ion - swollen / damaged | County HHW ONLY (fire risk in retail bin) | Free |
| Lithium-ion power tool pack | Home Depot + Lowes + Best Buy + Staples + tool manufacturer | Free |
| Lithium-ion e-bike battery | County HHW or specialty e-bike recycler | Free or $25-$50 |
| Lithium-ion EV battery | Manufacturer take-back (Tesla, BMW, GM, Hyundai) OR specialty EV recycler (Redwood Materials, Li-Cycle) | $50-$500 each |
| Lithium primary (industrial) | Hazardous waste contractor | $5-$50 each |
Why lithium batteries can't go in trash
Three reasons:
- Fire risk: Crushed/punctured lithium batteries can short-circuit + ignite. US trash + landfill fires from lithium batteries: 5,000+ per year, $1+ billion in damages
- Materials waste: Lithium-ion batteries contain $10-$50 in recoverable lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper. Throwing them away wastes critical minerals
- Federal law: EPA Universal Waste Rule (40 CFR Part 273) classifies as universal waste; many US states have specific mandatory recycling laws
How to prepare lithium batteries for disposal
For SMALL lithium batteries (phone, laptop, power tool):
- Tape both terminals with electrical or clear packing tape (prevents short-circuit fires)
- Bag in a small plastic bag for transport
- Drop in Call2Recycle bin at Staples, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes
- Don't crush, puncture, or open the battery
For DAMAGED or SWOLLEN lithium batteries:
- Don't use the device any more
- Don't charge the battery
- Move to a fire-safe location (away from flammables, ideally in a metal container with sand)
- Take to County HHW facility ONLY (do not put in retail Call2Recycle bin - fire risk in transport)
- Don't mail or ship damaged batteries
- Don't put in regular trash (fire risk in compactor + landfill)
What's in a lithium-ion battery
Per Wood Mackenzie research:
| Material | Approximate share | Source |
|---|
| Lithium | 4-6% | Cathode material |
| Cobalt | 5-15% (varies by chemistry) | Cathode material |
| Nickel | 10-30% (varies) | Cathode material |
| Manganese | 5-15% (varies) | Cathode material |
| Iron + phosphate | 30-40% (LFP batteries) | Cathode material |
| Graphite | 15-25% | Anode material |
| Copper | 5-12% | Current collectors |
| Aluminum | 5-12% | Current collectors |
| Plastic + electrolyte | 8-12% | Separator + binder |
Current scrap value: $10-$50 per battery for small (phone, laptop). $1,000-$5,000 per EV battery pack at current commodity prices.
EV battery disposal + second-life
EV battery packs (typically 30-100 kWh capacity) reach end-of-life at 70-80% original capacity:
Manufacturer take-back
- Tesla: Takes back any Tesla battery via service center; free
- GM: Battery take-back via Chevrolet/GMC dealer; free
- Ford + Mustang Mach-E: Free take-back via Ford dealer
- Hyundai + Kia: Free take-back via dealer
- BMW i + Mini Electric: Free take-back via BMW Battery Second Life program
- Polestar + Volvo: Free take-back via dealer
Specialty EV recyclers
- Redwood Materials (US, founded by JB Straubel former Tesla CTO): largest US EV battery recycler. Pays for high-quality battery packs.
- Li-Cycle Holdings (NYSE: LICY): Toronto-based; major US presence
- Battery Recycling Asia + Europe: Global recyclers
- Recycled Energy Solutions: Specialty US recycler
EV battery recyclers extract 90%+ of the lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese - the metals that go back into new battery manufacturing.
Second-life applications
Used EV batteries (still at 70-80% capacity) are repurposed:
- Home + commercial battery storage (Tesla Powerwall integration, alternative)
- Stationary grid storage (utility-scale)
- Off-grid solar systems
- RV + boat batteries
- EV charging station buffer
Second-life pricing: $200-$1,000 per kWh of usable capacity (vs $1,000-$5,000 per kWh for new EV battery).
Lithium-ion in e-bikes + scooters
E-bike batteries are typically 36V or 48V lithium-ion packs (10-20 Ah). Disposal:
- County HHW: free, accepts e-bike batteries
- Specialty e-bike recycler (Trek, Specialized, etc.): contact your bike shop
- DIY removal: not recommended unless you have proper tools + safety gear
Tesla + Ola Electric + electric motorcycle batteries: similar to EV, take to manufacturer service center.
Lithium primary (single-use) batteries
These are non-rechargeable lithium batteries (CR2032 button cells, lithium AA, etc.):
- Most retail Call2Recycle bins accept these
- County HHW: always free
- Special disposal not required unless damaged
Lithium primary recycling rate: 60% (vs 90%+ for rechargeable lithium-ion).
Cost benchmarks (USA, May 2026)
- Small Li-ion battery (phone, laptop) recycling: free
- Power tool battery pack recycling: free
- E-bike battery recycling: free at HHW, $25-$50 at specialty recycler
- EV battery recycling: $50-$500 per pack (varies)
- Replacement EV battery (Tesla Model 3): $13,000-$17,000
- Replacement laptop battery: $30-$120
- Replacement phone battery: $30-$80 (typically replaced as part of full phone repair)
Sources
- EPA Universal Waste Rule 40 CFR Part 273 (lithium battery classification)
- Call2Recycle annual recycling statistics
- Redwood Materials industry data
- Li-Cycle Holdings annual report
- US Fire Administration (USFA) trash + landfill fire data
- Wood Mackenzie battery material composition research
Last verified: 2026-05-23. Lithium battery recycling availability + EV battery take-back programs vary by manufacturer + region - confirm at point of return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I throw lithium batteries in the trash?
NEVER - lithium batteries cause 5,000+ US trash + landfill fires per year and $1+ billion in damages. They're EPA-classified universal waste under 40 CFR Part 273. Always recycle: Call2Recycle bins at Staples, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowes (free, any size battery). Tape both terminals with electrical tape before disposal to prevent short-circuit fires.
Where can I dispose of a lithium battery?
Free at Call2Recycle bins: Staples (every US store), Best Buy (kiosk at every entrance), Home Depot + Lowes (entrance bin), Office Depot, Batteries Plus. County HHW always free. NEVER throw in regular trash, kerbside recycling, or storm drain - fire risk + federal penalties up to $1,000-$15,000 per occurrence.
What do I do with a swollen lithium battery?
STOP using the device + STOP charging immediately. Move to a fire-safe location (away from flammables, ideally in a metal container with sand). Take ONLY to County HHW facility - do NOT put in retail Call2Recycle bins (fire risk in transport). Don't mail or ship damaged batteries. Don't crush, puncture, or open the battery.
Why are lithium batteries dangerous?
Crushed or punctured lithium batteries can short-circuit + ignite - causes 5,000+ US trash + landfill fires per year. Damaged batteries can leak electrolyte + cause skin/eye burns. Pressurized + flammable. Even 'used up' batteries have residual charge + fire risk for 6-12 months. Always tape terminals + bag for transport.
How much is a used EV battery worth?
Used EV battery packs (typically 30-100 kWh capacity at end-of-life with 70-80% original capacity) are worth $200-$1,000 per kWh of usable capacity for second-life applications. A 60 kWh Tesla Model 3 pack: $5,000-$20,000 second-life market value. New EV battery replacement: $13,000-$17,000 for a Tesla Model 3 battery.
Does Tesla take back old batteries?
Yes - Tesla offers free battery take-back via any Tesla service center. The battery is then routed to Redwood Materials (largest US EV battery recycler, founded by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel) or Tesla's own recycling operations. Similar programs from GM (Chevrolet/GMC dealers), Ford (Mustang Mach-E + F-150 Lightning), Hyundai/Kia, BMW i, Volvo/Polestar, all free.
What is in a lithium-ion battery?
Cathode: 4-6% lithium, 5-15% cobalt (variable by chemistry), 10-30% nickel, 5-15% manganese, OR 30-40% iron + phosphate (LFP batteries). Anode: 15-25% graphite. Current collectors: 5-12% copper + 5-12% aluminum. Separator + binder: 8-12% plastic + electrolyte. Recoverable scrap value: $10-$50 per battery for small (phone, laptop), $1,000-$5,000 per EV battery pack.
Can I disassemble a lithium battery for parts?
Strongly NOT recommended without proper safety gear + training. Lithium-ion batteries contain pressurized electrolyte + can leak/explode when opened improperly. Disassembly should only be done by certified recyclers (Redwood Materials, Li-Cycle, manufacturer service centers). DIY disassembly risks battery fire + serious injury - and is illegal under EPA Universal Waste Rule in some jurisdictions.
How do I prepare a lithium battery for recycling?
(1) Tape both terminals with electrical or clear packing tape (prevents short-circuit fires in mixed recycling bins); (2) Bag in a small plastic bag for transport; (3) Drop at Call2Recycle bin or County HHW. For damaged/swollen batteries: do NOT put in retail bins - take to County HHW only. Never crush, puncture, or open the battery.
What happens to recycled lithium batteries?
Recycled at facilities like Redwood Materials, Li-Cycle, Aqua Metals. Extracted: 90%+ of lithium + cobalt + nickel + manganese + copper for re-use in new battery manufacturing. Aluminum + plastic + electrolyte: 70-80% recoverable, rest sent to specialized disposal. The recycled materials enter the supply chain for new EV batteries, phones, laptops - a true closed-loop economy.