Finding where to recycle 18650 batteries can be tricky. After all, you can’t just throw them in the trash or drop them in your curbside recycling bin. These cylindrical lithium-ion batteries require special handling when it’s time to get rid of them.
In this complete guide, as a professional 18650 battery pack manufacturer, I’ll cover everything you need to know about safely recycling 18650 batteries, including:
- Locations that accept 18650 battery recycling
- How to prepare 18650s for recycling
- Why 18650 battery recycling is so important
Plus local recycling requirements and safety tips when handling used lithium-ion batteries.
Where to Recycle 18650 Batteries? Locations Near You
First, let’s talk about the best places to take your old, worn-out 18650 batteries for recycling.
Your best bet is to search for locations near you that specifically accept lithium-ion batteries. Sites like Call2Recycle make this easy.
Simply enter your zip code and you’ll get a list of drop-off points to responsibly recycle 18650s (and other lithium-based batteries).
For example, in my area in Portland, Oregon some of the closest options are:
- Batteries Plus Bulbs stores
- Home Depot
- Metro’s hazardous waste facilities
Batteries Plus and Home Depot take most household batteries. While Metro accepts almost any battery type…including 18650s from vapes and power tools.
Many cities and counties also hold periodic household hazardous materials collection events. These are great for dropping off 18650s and other rechargeable batteries.
I’ll link to some additional 18650 battery recycling locator tools at the end of this post. But first, let’s talk about how to safely prepare your used batteries for recycling.
Prepping 18650 Batteries for Recycling
Before you load up your car with a box of old 18650s, it’s important to take a few safety precautions.
Mishandled or damaged lithium-ion batteries can start fires. So to prevent any sparks or shorts, you need to:
1. Tape the Terminals
Use non-conductive electrical tape to completely cover the positive and negative terminals of each battery.
Skip this step for alkaline batteries, but tape lithium 18650s and any cylindrical battery where metal terminals are exposed.
Clear packing tape works too if you don’t have electrical tape. The key is preventing the battery ends from contacting anything metal.
2. Place 18650s in Individual Plastic Bags
Next, put each battery in its own small plastic zip top bag. Sandwich style bags work well for this.
The bags prevent the batteries from touching during transport to your drop-off location.
3. Put Batteries in Non-Metal Container
Finally, place your bagged batteries gently into a cardboard box or plastic bin. Avoid using metal containers which could short the batteries if they come into contact with the sides.
And that’s it! Your 18650s are prepped and ready for safe delivery to a battery recycling location.
Why 18650 Battery Recycling Matters
Now you know where to take your old 18650 batteries and how to prep them for recycling. But why go through the hassle?
Here are two big reasons that recycling batteries (instead of trashing them) is so important:
1. Safety: Damaged or degraded batteries can ignite into flames. In fact, improperly discarded lithium batteries have caused numerous fires at waste management facilities. Recycling keeps batteries out of landfills and incinerators where they pose a major fire risk.
2. Conservation: Battery recycling recovers valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel so they can be reused instead of mined. This reduces environmental impacts and saves precious resources by giving battery components new life.
In other words: Recycling your old 18650s is a win/win for both safety and conservation efforts. That 30 minute drive to your nearest battery drop-off location is time well spent!
18650 Battery Recycling Requirements
Most states and cities have implemented laws around recycling rechargeable batteries. These help reduce contamination in landfills and streamline the battery recycling process.
Regulations vary quite a bit depending on your location. Some municipalities even ban any type of battery from curbside garbage pickup.
So I recommend looking up your city or state laws on lithium-ion and lead-acid battery disposal. Your local waste management website is a great place to find details on recycling requirements in your area.
Places like California and New York City have some of the strictest battery recycling laws. But even if you live somewhere without an official battery recycling mandate, following local guidelines is still the responsible thing to do.
Safe Handling When Working With Used Batteries
I want to wrap up this 18650 battery recycling guide with a few quick safety reminders when handling used lithium-ion batteries:
- Store spent batteries in a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets
- Never put damaged lithium batteries in the trash or recycling
- Completely discharge 18650s before recycling if possible
- Consider wearing protective gloves and eyewear when handling used batteries
And if you ever need help finding recycling locations close to home, remember to use the battery recycling locator links included earlier in this article.
So there you have it – a complete guide to safely disposing of and recycling 18650 lithium-ion batteries. Now you know exactly why it’s so important to keep these cylindrical cells out of landfills. Plus where to recycle 18650 batteries near you and how to prepare them for drop-off.
Following these responsible recycling tips will prevent battery-related fires, conserve natural resources, and keep our communities just a little bit safer. So gather up those old vape batteries and power tool packs for prep. It’s time to give those retired 18650 lithium-ions new life through recycling!
