Fires on record
EPA's 2021 report counted "more than 240 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries at 64 facilities between 2013 and 2020". EPA ties that risk to batteries that are not "handled carefully".
Battery recycling for businesses, in the same load as your lamps.
Businesses can manage spent batteries, lithium included, as federal universal waste: labeled, stored up to one year, then sent for recycling. We collect them with your fluorescent, CFL and HID lamps and ballasts, by scheduled pickup or a mail-back box.
- Lithium-ion and alkaline
- Packed by type
- Lamps and ballasts too
- A record for every job
Battery rules, year by year
The stewardship laws are arriving state by state.
Federal handling rules for batteries sit in 40 CFR Part 273, and a lithium update is only planned so far. The state layer moves faster. Stewardship laws put collection duties on producers, and Illinois will keep covered batteries out of landfill.
NCSL counts "At least eight states and the District of Columbia" with battery stewardship laws. The points below are the dates a business is most likely to feel.
- 2014
Vermont
Battery stewardship law enacted, per NCSL.
- 2021 to 2025
DC and five states
DC 2021, California 2022, Washington 2023, Illinois 2024, Colorado and Connecticut 2025.
- 2026
Illinois rolls out
Producers in a stewardship plan Jan 1. Retailer sales restriction Jul 1. Collection sites by Dec 31.
- Apr 1, 2027
California
Producers must participate in a stewardship program under AB 2440.
- Jan 1, 2028
Illinois landfill bar
Covered batteries must go through approved methods, which bars landfill (Section 70).
Sources: NCSL, battery extended producer responsibility laws; Product Stewardship Institute; Illinois Public Act 103-1033; DLA Piper on California AB 2440. The Illinois dates also matter for lamp jobs; see the Illinois fluorescent ban.
By chemistry
How each battery type is handled.
The rules split by chemistry and by condition. Lead-acid has its own federal rule, lithium carries fire risk, and a damaged battery changes how it can travel. Illinois gets its own row because its law reaches medium-format packs.
| Battery | Federal status | Handling | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion, rechargeable | Likely hazardous waste when disposed (ignitable D001, reactive D003); can be managed as universal waste | Each battery or device in its own plastic bag, terminals taped | EPA lithium-ion pages and FAQ |
| Lithium primary, single use | Can be managed as universal waste | Same bagging and taping as lithium-ion | EPA FAQ |
| Lead-acid | Excluded from the universal waste battery rules when managed under part 266 subpart G | Follows its own federal rule | 40 CFR 273.2 |
| Damaged or defective lithium | Leaking or damaged batteries must be containerized | Highway, rail or vessel only, in individual non-metallic inner packaging with non-combustible, non-conductive cushioning | 40 CFR 273.13(a)(1); 49 CFR 173.185(f) |
| Lithium for recycling, by truck | Excepted from testing, recordkeeping and UN performance packaging | Packed in "a strong outer packaging"; highway only, not air | 49 CFR 173.185(d) |
| Packs and devices | Handlers may take packs apart into cells and remove batteries from products | Allowed only if each cell casing is not breached and stays intact and closed | 40 CFR 273.13(a)(2) |
| Illinois covered batteries | Portable and medium-format batteries, including e-bike and scooter types | Approved methods only from Jan 1, 2028; no landfill | Illinois PA 103-1033 |
| Any universal waste battery | One-year storage limit | Labeled "Waste Battery(ies)" or "Used Battery(ies)" | 40 CFR 273.14(a), 273.15 |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Regulatory status only, not a list of what any recycler accepts. Sources: eCFR, 40 CFR Part 273 and 49 CFR 173.185; EPA, Lithium-ion battery recycling and Used lithium-ion batteries. Lamp storage rules are in our compliance guide. Federal rules shown. States can be stricter. Not legal advice.
Lithium prep checklist
Before lithium batteries leave the building.
EPA's own steps come first: "Place each battery or device containing a battery in a separate plastic bag." Then tape the terminals. The rest keeps your storage area inside the universal waste rule.
- Each battery, or device with a battery, in its own plastic bag
- Non-conductive tape, such as electrical tape, over the terminals
- Nothing lithium in household garbage or recycling bins
- Leaking or damaged batteries containerized right away
- Manufacturer called for any damaged lithium-ion battery
- Every cell casing left intact and closed
- Container labeled "Waste Battery(ies)" or "Used Battery(ies)"
- Start date on the container, shipped within one year
- Lead-acid batteries kept out of the universal waste bin
- Loose cells kept apart from metal tools and scrap
- Damaged lithium shipped by highway, rail or vessel only
- Battery count noted on the quote request
Sources: EPA, Used lithium-ion batteries; 40 CFR 273.2, 273.13(a), 273.14(a) and 273.15; 49 CFR 173.185(f).
Why it needs a plan
A battery bin is not a battery program.
Six facts from regulators and stewardship programs that shape how a business should handle spent batteries, especially lithium. Each is sourced in the note below the cards.
Ignitable and reactive
EPA says most lithium-ion batteries "are likely to be hazardous wastes when they are disposed of". The likely codes are ignitable D001 and reactive D003. Universal waste is the simpler path.
The highway exception
Lithium batteries going to recycling by motor vehicle skip testing, recordkeeping and UN packaging rules in a strong outer package. That exception covers highway transport only, not air.
EPA lithium rule
RIN 2050-AH32 covers universal waste rules for solar panels and lithium batteries. The agenda lists a proposal for August 2026 and a final rule for August 2027. Neither is confirmed as published.
Most rechargeables missed
A Massachusetts background document from July 2025 puts the share of rechargeable batteries recycled at only about 12 to 15%. That leaves most rechargeables outside any recycling stream.
Built for consumers
Call2Recycle, a not-for-profit founded in 1994, runs consumer drop-off and filed the Illinois plan for over 250 producers. It collected 9.3 million lb in 2025, down 4.8%.
Sources: EPA, Lithium-ion battery recycling, citing its 2021 fire report. 49 CFR 173.185(d). Reginfo.gov, Fall 2025 unified agenda, RIN 2050-AH32: planned dates, not a published rule. Massachusetts background document, July 2025. Resource Recycling, July 2026.
How it works
Five steps from drawer to record.
Batteries usually turn up next to other waste: in a retrofit, a closet cleanout or a device refresh. Handle them as one job with the lamps, and the storage clock and paperwork stay in one place. See lamp recycling for the lamp side.
Sort by chemistry
Federal rules let handlers sort batteries by type, or mix types in one container. Keep lead-acid and damaged units apart either way, since each follows its own rule.
Prep the lithium
Bag each lithium battery or device on its own and tape the terminals with non-conductive tape, such as electrical tape.
Label and date
Mark the container "Used Battery(ies)" or "Waste Battery(ies)" and write the start date. The one-year clock runs from there.
Pick the route
Scheduled pickup when batteries ride with a retrofit's lamps and ballasts. A mail-back box for a small, steady trickle.
Ship and file
Lamps, ballasts and batteries leave in the same job. Each job closes with a recycling record.
Batteries piling up next to old tubes?
Send rough counts of both, and we reply with a written quote.
Battery questions
What businesses ask about battery recycling.
Short answers, each tied to the rule behind it. The questions come from what facilities teams search before they book.
What types of batteries can be recycled?
Lithium-ion, lithium primary and lead-acid batteries each have a defined federal route. EPA says both lithium types can be managed as universal waste. Spent lead-acid batteries managed under part 266 subpart G sit outside the universal waste battery rules, under 40 CFR 273.2.
Is there any specific way I should prepare my batteries for recycling?
Yes, for lithium. EPA says to place each battery or device containing a battery in a separate plastic bag. Then put non-conductive tape, such as electrical tape, over the terminals. Label the container "Used Battery(ies)" or "Waste Battery(ies)" and date it.
Are lithium batteries hazardous waste?
Usually, when thrown away. EPA says most lithium-ion batteries "are likely to be hazardous wastes when they are disposed of". They can catch fire or explode. Both lithium-ion and lithium primary batteries can instead be managed as universal waste, which is simpler for a business.
Can a damaged, defective, or recalled battery be managed under universal waste?
Damaged batteries can, with extra care. The universal waste rule says leaking or damaged batteries must be containerized. DOT allows damaged lithium batteries only by highway, rail or vessel, in individual non-metallic inner packaging. For damaged lithium-ion, EPA says to contact the battery or device manufacturer.
Can I mix battery types in one container?
Federal rules allow it. Under 40 CFR 273.13(a)(2), handlers may sort batteries by type or mix types in one container. Each cell casing must stay intact and closed. Lithium still gets bagged and taped first, and lead-acid follows its own rule.
How long can a business store used batteries?
Up to one year under the federal universal waste rule, 40 CFR 273.15. Write the start date on each container or keep a log so you can show the timing. A recurring pickup that also takes your lamps keeps both streams inside the same window.
Can lithium batteries ship by air for recycling?
The DOT recycling exception does not cover air. Under 49 CFR 173.185(d), lithium batteries going to recycling by motor vehicle are excepted from some testing and packaging rules. Damaged or defective ones may travel only by highway, rail or vessel, under 173.185(f).
Why not just use a free drop-off program?
Drop-off programs are built for consumers. Call2Recycle, a not-for-profit founded in 1994, runs consumer drop-off funded by producers. A business clearing a building often has batteries alongside lamps and ballasts. One scheduled pickup with a recycling record can cover all three.
Is EPA changing the lithium battery rules?
A change is planned but not final. RIN 2050-AH32, "Universal Waste Regulations for Solar Panels and Lithium Batteries", is at the proposed rule stage. The Fall 2025 agenda lists the proposal for August 2026 and the final rule for August 2027. Until then, current rules apply.
Do Illinois businesses face new battery rules?
Yes, mostly from 2028. Under Public Act 103-1033, producers had to join a stewardship plan by January 1, 2026. Collection sites are due by December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2028, covered batteries must go through approved methods, which bars landfill.
What labels do battery containers need?
One of the phrases set in 40 CFR 273.14(a). "Waste Battery(ies)" and "Used Battery(ies)" are the simplest; the rule also allows a universal waste battery phrase. Put the label on the container itself, and add the start date so the one-year storage limit is easy to show.
Can we discharge or take apart battery packs before shipping?
Federal rules allow it, within limits. Under 40 CFR 273.13(a)(2), handlers may discharge, regenerate, disassemble packs into cells, remove batteries from products and remove electrolyte. Each cell casing must stay intact and closed. Bag and tape any loose lithium cells that result.
Who pays for battery stewardship programs?
Producers fund them under state stewardship laws. Illinois required producers to be in a plan from January 1, 2026, and California's AB 2440 requires participation by April 1, 2027. Call2Recycle, which filed the Illinois plan, runs consumer drop-off for producers.
How is battery recycling priced?
Battery recycling is commonly priced by the pound or by the pail. Public contracts and seller listings show both. Our pricing page shows sourced public benchmarks. For your own load, send rough counts and we reply with a written quote.
Related services.
Tell us which batteries are in the load.
Rough counts by type are enough to start, with any lamps and ballasts coming out alongside them. Flag damaged lithium so it is packed on its own. We reply with a written quote.