Old batteries should not be thrown in the trash or municipal recycling bins. Instead, they should be recycled or taken to household hazardous waste collection points. Here are some tips on how to dispose of different types of batteries:

• Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon Batteries: These batteries can be recycled by sending them to battery recyclers or checking with your local or state solid waste authority. You can also drop them off for free at thousands of convenient locations across the U.S., including The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples.

• Button-Cell and Lithium Batteries: These batteries should not be put in the trash or municipal recycling bins. Instead, find a recycling location that specializes in battery recycling. Some Office Depot and Best Buy locations accept batteries for recycling.

• Rechargeable Batteries: Removable rechargeable batteries can be brought to specialized battery recyclers, participating retailers that provide battery takeback services, or local household hazardous waste collection programs. Lithium-ion batteries are accepted at Call2Recycle sites at The Home Depot.

Before recycling, it is recommended to tape battery terminals and/or place batteries in separate plastic bags to prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries. When prepping single-use batteries for recycling, place a piece of non-conductive clear tape over the ends to prevent any current transfer, or bag each battery individually instead of taping the ends.