Recycle household batteries safely at your local MCG office.
Do not place batteries in household trash or curbside recycling bins.
Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them can be damaged or crushed during collection and sorting, creating a serious fire hazard. Proper battery recycling helps protect people, equipment, and the environment.
Battery recycling helps protect our communities, reduce environmental harm, and recover valuable materials that can be used again.
PREVENTS FIRES
Lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should never go in household garbage or curbside recycling bins. If batteries are damaged or crushed during transport or sorting, they can short-circuit, spark, and start fires.
PROTECTS SOIL & WATER
Many battery types contain metals and chemicals that can be harmful if they leak or are improperly managed at the end of their life. Keeping batteries out of the trash helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination.
CONSERVES VALUABLE MATERIALS
Battery recycling helps recover materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminum, steel, and plastics, so they can re-enter the supply chain rather than be lost in landfills.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCD)
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
SINGLE-USE BATTERIES
Alkaline
Carbon-Zinc
Lithium Primary
Mercury
Silver Oxide
Zinc
STEP 1
TAPE BATTERY TERMINALS
Especially 9V and lithium batteries.
STEP 2
BAG BATTERIES SEPARATELY
Use small plastic bags if needed to prevent contact.
STEP 3
KEEP BATTERIES DRY
Protect them from moisture and damage during transport.
STEP 4
DROP OFF AT MCG
Bring them to any participating MCG community office.
what you can do
Small actions at home can reduce battery waste and make recycling safer.
Use drop-off programs for rechargeable batteries instead of throwing them away.
Choose rechargeable batteries when appropriate to reduce the number of single-use batteries over time.
Buy higher-quality batteries that last longer and reduce the need for frequent replacements.
Repair devices or replace batteries when possible, rather than replacing the whole item.
Store loose batteries safely in a container or bag, away from coins, keys, and other metal objects.
Share the message with others so more people know batteries should not go in the trash or curbside recycling.
WHAT MATERIALS ARE TAKEN AND REPURPOSED FROM BATTERIES?
Battery recycling can recover useful materials that may be processed and returned to manufacturing supply chains.
-
Common recoverable materials may include:
Lithium
Nickel
Cobalt
Manganese
Graphite
Copper
Aluminum
Plastics -
Depending on the battery chemistry and recycling process, recovered materials may include:
Steel
Nickel
Cobalt
Cadmium
Lead
Zinc
Aluminum
Copper -
Lead-acid batteries are a strong example of closed-loop recycling. Commonly recovered materials include:
Lead
Polypropylene plastic
Processed acidThe lead may be reused in battery manufacturing, while the plastic can be recycled into pellets used to make new battery cases.
doing the right thing
for our communities
Battery recycling is one small step that makes a big difference.
By recycling batteries properly, we help reduce fire risk, protect the environment, and support more sustainable use of valuable materials.
It all started when…
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