04/06/2026
Batteries should NEVER go in your trash or recycling carts — and here’s why.
Household batteries may look harmless, but they can spark fires that burn at over 3,000°F. These fires spread fast and endanger workers and community members, and damage equipment. In 2025 alone, battery‑related fires caused more than $2.5 billion in damage across the waste and recycling industry.
The most dangerous type of batteries are lithium batteries, which are found in everyday rechargeable devices like:
• Phones
• Laptops & tablets
• Smartwatches & fitness trackers
• Wireless earbuds
• Portable chargers
• Vapes
• Children’s toys
• And many more electronics
The safest choice is to drop them off at a certified collection site.
Find a local battery drop‑off location: https://batterynetwork.org/locator/