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How to Recycle Batteries, Bulbs, and More at Batteries Plus
Properly disposing of recyclable items prevents landfill fires, keeps toxic chemicals out of our water sources, and recovers rare earth metals. Follow this guide to ensure your home stays safe and the environment stays protected.
Recycling Steps & Process
Whether you are a retail customer or a business partner, our goal is to keep dangerous materials out of landfills and return salvageable materials to the supply chain.
Gather
Collect your spent batteries, bulbs, and small electronics
Visit
Bring them to your nearest Batteries Plus store.
Drop Off
Hand your items to a store associate, and we’ll take care of the rest
Fees may apply and vary by location and the material being recycled. Please check with your local store for details
For Businesses Customers
Maximize your Batteries Plus business account by centralizing all spent batteries, bulbs, and tech at your office for bulk drop-off. Not only does consolidation simplify your workflow, but it also unlocks exclusive commercial recycling discounts and potential pickup services for larger hauls.
How to Prepare Your Items for Disposal
Before heading to your local Batteries Plus or recycling center, follow these safety steps:
For Batteries
- Tape the Terminals: Place clear tape over the positive and negative ends of all batteries (especially Lithium and 9V). This prevents accidental sparks during transport.
- If Stuck: If a battery is integrated into a device and won't come out, don't force it. Bring the whole device to a store associate for help.
For Light Bulbs
- Prevent Breakage: Store spent bulbs in their original packaging or a sturdy cardboard box lined with paper.
- Handle with Care: Never crush or break bulbs. Fluorescent and CFL bulbs contain small amounts of mercury vapor that can be harmful if inhaled.
For Small Electronics
- Data Security: Perform a factory reset on phones, tablets, and laptops to wipe your personal information. Remove SIM and SD cards.
- Bundle Cables: Keep power cords and chargers with their respective devices to make the recycling process more efficient.
Recycling Made Simple at Batteries Plus
At Batteries Plus, we believe that doing the right thing for the planet shouldn't be a chore. We’ve streamlined our process to be as convenient as possible:
- No Appointment Needed: Simply walk into any of our 700+ locations during standard business hours.
- Expert Assistance: If a battery is integrated into a device (like a tablet or cordless tool) and you aren't sure how to remove it, bring the whole thing in. Our associates can often see if removal is possible and handle it for you.
- One-Stop Drop: Clear out your batteries, light bulbs, and small electronics all in a single trip.
- Expert Advice: Not sure if a specific bulb or battery is recyclable? Just ask! The Experts in Charge are here to help.
Business Recycling Solutions
Is your workplace, job site, or facility accumulating large amounts of waste? Many businesses are required by law to recycle hazardous materials. Batteries Plus offers tailored programs to keep your company compliant and green:
- Volume Discounts: We offer competitive pricing for businesses that need to recycle large quantities of batteries or bulbs.
- Pick-up Services: Skip the heavy lifting. Many of our locations can help coordinate professional pickup services for bulk recycling loads.
- Compliance Documentation: We provide the necessary paperwork to help your business meet environmental regulations and sustainability goals.
- Specialty Item Handling: From bar code scanners to emergency lighting batteries and large-scale UPS systems, we handle the specialty items that standard municipal programs often won't.
What We Recycle
We accept a wide range of products to help you declutter responsibly.
| Category | Common Items Accepted |
|---|---|
| Batteries | Alkaline (AA, AAA), Lead Acid (Cars/Trucks), Lithium Ion (Phones), Nickel Cadmium (Tools) |
| Light Bulbs | CFLs, Fluorescent Tubes (all lengths), LEDs, Halogen, Incandescent, and Specialty (UV/Germicidal) |
| Electronics | Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, MP3 players, and small portable gadgets |
Why It Matters: Environmental & Safety Impact
Recycling isn't just about clearing out a junk drawer or being organized; it is a vital line of defense for your community and the planet. When batteries, bulbs, and electronics are tossed into the regular trash, they transform from helpful tools into hazardous liabilities. By choosing to recycle, you are directly preventing industrial accidents and protecting the finite resources of our Earth.
- Fire Safety: Batteries tossed in the trash are a leading cause of "hot loads" and devastating fires at waste processing centers. Even a small spark from a lithium battery can ignite a mountain of paper and plastic.
- Mercury & Toxin Prevention: Older bulb types (CFLs and tubes) contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin. Proper recycling ensures this chemical is captured in a vacuum environment rather than leaking into the soil and groundwater.
- Resource Recovery: Electronics and batteries contain critical, non-renewable resources like cobalt, lithium, and nickel. Mining these is an energy-intensive, high-carbon process. It is far more efficient to "mine" our existing waste than to dig new holes in the ground.
- A "Circular" Future: In car batteries, nearly 99% of the lead and plastic can be recovered and repurposed. Your old battery today literally becomes the power source for someone else’s vehicle tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the item and your local laws. Some items, like car batteries, can actually put money back in your pocket through Core Deposits. Others may require a small fee to cover the complex chemical processing required for safety.
Beyond the environmental damage, many states and municipalities have made it illegal to throw batteries and mercury-containing bulbs in the trash. Improper disposal can lead to significant legal fines.
We work with certified recycling partners who separate salvageable metals, glass, and plastics. These materials are then repurposed for new products, sustaining a "circular economy."
Don't panic, but act carefully. Do not vacuum, as this can spread mercury vapor. Instead:
- Ventilate: Open a window and have people and pets leave the room for 15 minutes.
- Clean up: Use stiff paper or cardboard to scoop up glass fragments and powder. Use sticky tape to pick up small pieces.
- Wipe: Clean the area with a damp paper towel.
- Seal: Place all fragments and cleanup materials in a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealed plastic bag. Bring it to a recycling center that accepts broken bulbs.
A swollen (puffy) lithium battery is a serious fire hazard. Do not put it in a standard recycling bin or the mail.
- Storage: Place it in a non-flammable container filled with sand or kitty litter.
- Disposal: Contact your local hazardous waste center or a specialty recycler like Batteries Plus immediately for specific "damaged battery" handling instructions.
When you buy a new lead-acid battery (like for a car or boat), the price includes a "core charge." When you return your old battery to the store to be recycled, that charge is refunded to you. This system ensures that nearly 99% of lead-acid batteries are kept out of landfills!