How to Safely Dispose of Batteries
Some batteries can spark and cause fires when they get crushed in trash or recycling trucks. These fires put workers in danger, destroy expensive equipment and ruin perfectly good recyclables. That’s why it’s so important to know which batteries need to be brought to a drop-off center. Use the Where Does It Go? Search Tool to find the closest drop-off center near you!
Important Note: If your battery is labeled as “alkaline,” it is okay to throw it in your trash bin.
Battery Types
These batteries should never be placed in your trash or recycling bins. Take them to a designated battery drop-off center for proper disposal.
Rechargeable Batteries
| Lithium-Ion (found in cellphones, laptops, tablets, power tools, toys) |
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| Lithium Polymer (LiPO; found in remote control vehicles) |
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| Nickel-Metal Hydride (found in electric toothbrushes, razors, cameras, cellphones) |
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| Nickel Cadmium (found in cordless phones) |
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| Small Sealed Lead-Acid (found in battery back-ups) |
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Non-Rechargeable, Single-Use Batteries
| Lithium (found in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors) |
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| Silver Oxide (SR) Button Batteries |
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| Zinc-Air (found in hearing aids) |
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| Mercury |
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| Lithium Manganese (LR) Button Batteries |
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| Zinc-Chloride |
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Identifying Batteries
Batteries hide in many commonly used household items, like electric toothbrushes, laptops, portable fans, toys, power tools, handheld and robot vacuum cleaners, watches and more. If it charges or runs without a cord, chances are it has one of the batteries listed above inside.
Does your device have a battery that cannot be removed? Bring the whole thing to a battery drop-off center.
Batteries in Your Home
Below are examples of devices you might find in your home that could contain the rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries listed above. Keep your eyes peeled for devices that operate without a cord and require recharging, or those that run on any battery not labeled as “alkaline.”
Remember: If it operates without being plugged into the wall, it may contain a battery that needs to be dropped off at a drop-off center.
Kitchen
- Electric kettles
- Milk frothers
- Food scales
- Automatic salt and pepper grinders
- Automatic bottle openers
- Skillets and hot plates
Living Room
- Cordless vacuum cleaners
- Cordless phones
- Cordless lamps and light fixtures
- Wireless/Bluetooth speakers
Office
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Car key fobs
- Wireless headphones
- Digital cameras
- MP3 players
- Portable power banks
Bedroom(s)
- Fans
- Cellphones
- Smart watches
Bathroom
- Electric toothbrushes
- Water flossers
- Electric razors
- Scales
- Automatic hand soap dispensers
- Towel warmers
Garage
- Power tools
- Scooters
- Electric bikes
- Hoverboards
- Battery-operated toys
- Drones
- Yard tool (e.g., lawnmowers, weed whackers, leaf blowers). Note that if the yard tool uses gas, it does not have a battery.
These items may have a battery in them. Remove the battery to determine what kind it is. Is it one of the batteries listed above? If so, take it to a battery drop-off center when it’s time to dispose of it. If you cannot remove the battery from the item, take the whole thing to a drop-off center.
Disposing of Batteries
Free battery drop-off centers are available throughout Pinellas County, including at home improvement stores and Pinellas County’s household hazardous waste centers. Use the Where Does It Go? Search Tool to find a drop-off center near you. To access the correct information, first select either “Homes” or “Businesses.” You can then search for a specific item or select and browse one of the categories. All information for batteries can be found under the “Careful Handling Required” category.
Questions?
Have more questions about proper battery disposal? Email us at recycle@pinellas.gov.