It is illegal to put rechargeable batteries in your trash or recycling.

This includes batteries from:

• Laptops
• Cell phones
• Digital cameras

You can drop them off at a Special Waste Disposal site or a store that sells rechargeable batteries or products containing them.

All stores in New York State that sell rechargeable batteries or products containing them must accept rechargeable batteries for recycling. No purchase is necessary.

These types of stores include:

• Hardware stores
• Office supply stores
• Drugstores
• Electronics stores

Food stores with less than 14,000 square feet are exceptions and do not need to accept batteries.

Non-rechargeable and alkaline household batteries may be discarded with regular trash.

Learn more about throwing out rechargeable batteries.