Do Home Depot Recycle Batteries? (Your Full Guide)

Home Depot sells batteries in-store and online for a range of purposes, such as lithium-ion batteries for cell phones and laptops, AA batteries for TV remotes, and much more.

However, expired batteries can harm the environment, so you may wonder if Home Depot recycles batteries. Here is what I’ve discovered about this through my research!

Do Home Depot Recycle Batteries?

Home Depot is partnered with Call2Recycle to offer battery recycling. Customers can deposit used or old batteries at the Call2Recycle bins at select Home Depot stores. Types of batteries that are recycled include rechargeable, lithium, and cell phone batteries that weigh up to 11 lbs and are under 300 watt-hours.

If you want to learn more about other ways in which you can recycle batteries, what other stores can recycle batteries for you, and much more, keep on reading!

How Do Call2Recycle Bins Work At Home Depot?

Home Depot has Call2Recycle bins at almost all of its stores where customers can drop in portable rechargeable batteries.

Simply bring your batteries to a location near you with a Call2Recycle bin, wrap your rechargeable batteries in the plastic bag provided at the bin, and drop your bag into the bin safely.

An associate will then take these bags at the end of the day to be mailed to Call2Recycle, where they will begin the recycling process.

What Batteries Does Home Depot Take For Recycling?

Home Depot’s Call2Recycle bins take a wide variety of rechargeable batteries, including lithium and cell phone batteries.

You can deposit batteries that are used in the following ways:

  • Cordless power tools
  • Cell and cordless phones
  • Digital cameras and camcorders
  • Remote control toys
  • Two-way radios
  • Laptops
  • Other portable electronics

Note that as long as the battery in question weighs up to 11 lbs and is rated under 300 watt-hours, it will be accepted for recycling.

How Do You Dispose Of Rechargeable Batteries?

How Do You Dispose Of Rechargeable Batteries?

Most rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion ones found in laptops or nickel-cadmium batteries found in digital cameras and cordless power tools, should be recycled properly.

Throwing these in the trash is illegal in some states, so you should look up your state’s regulations on battery disposal before you consider simply throwing them in the trash.

Although most stores are partnered with Call2Recycle to drop off batteries, you can also find other recycling facilities near you using Earth911’s search feature.

Why Is It Dangerous To Throw Away Batteries?

Batteries that are thrown in the trash inevitably end up in landfill sites where they can leak heavy harmful metals such as nickel and lithium.

These chemicals can contaminate soil, groundwater, and streams, leading to trouble growing crops or wildlife sustainability.

If wild animals ingest these toxins, they can find their way up the food chain to humans and cause severe health problems.

In addition, if these batteries are incinerated, they can release toxic gases containing heavy metals into the very air we breathe.

Since batteries can be recycled easily, it’s important to recycle them properly rather than throw them away for convenience.

Which Stores Recycle Batteries?

A number of stores other than Home Depot offer battery recycling, some of which are also partnered with Call2Recyle to offer more convenient recycling opportunities for customers.

For example, Office Depot offers mail-in recycling which isn’t simply limited to batteries.

You can also recycle old electronic waste products such as older computers or printers along with your rechargeable batteries.

Staples also offers in-store recycling for the following types of batteries: lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, and small sealed lead-acid.

Note that Staples will not accept any automotive batteries, as well as single-use alkaline or lithium batteries.

Stores that are partnered with Call2Recycle and have recycling bins at their stores include:

  • Best Buy
  • Home Depot
  • Lowe’s
  • RadioShack

Other than these, you can also choose to recycle with private companies that can offer you cash for your old batteries, ranging from small lithium batteries to large car batteries.

If you are looking to learn more, you can also read our related articles on whether or not Home Depot recycles light bulbs, if Home Depot takes old paint for recycling, and if Home Depot recycles plastic bags.

Conclusion

Home Depot is partnered with Call2Recycle, which leaves recycling bins for batteries at stores across the country.

They do not internally recycle batteries, and other stores are partnered with Call2Recycle to make it easier for the public to recycle batteries.

It’s important to recycle batteries appropriately in order to prevent the release of toxic heavy metals into the soil and atmosphere, as well as avoid poisoning wildlife.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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