How to Recycle Batteries

  • Where to dispose of batteries

    Collect, Protect and Drop Off your batteries at many convenient drop-off locations across Ontario. You can find drop boxes at pharmacies, hardware stores, grocery stores, municipal depots, and other facilities near you.

    Where to recycle 

  • What batteries are accepted

    • Button cells
    • AA
    • AAA
    • C
    • D
    • 9V
    • Lantern batteries
    • Sealed lead acid batteries
    • Replacement batteries (i.e. drill, cell phone, laptop) that weigh under 5 kg or less

  • How to recycle batteries

    Battery terminals can spark upon contact and cause a fire or explosion. Put a piece of clear tape over the positive terminal (the raised end) or bag batteries in small plastic bags. Always individually bag Lithium-Ion, Lithium, Alkaline (over 12v), and button/coin cell batteries. When in doubt, bag it!

Find Locations to Recycle Your Batteries

The Battery Recycling Process Explained

How we break down batteries and use them to make something new!

From sorting to shredding

Dismantling Batteries

  • The first step in battery recycling involves dismantling the batteries to separate their individual components.
  • Depending on the scale of recycling operations, this process can be done manually or through automated methods.
  • During dismantling, batteries are carefully taken apart to access their internal components.
  • After dismantling, the batteries undergo shredding.
  • In this stage, the batteries are shredded into small pieces.
  • Shredding helps break down the battery materials further, making them easier to process.

Component Recovery

Lithium-Ion Batteries

  • Lithium-ion batteries, found in devices like smartphones and electric vehicles (EVs), consist of various materials.
  • After shredding, the separated cells are further processed

Metal Solids:

  • These include copper, aluminum,
    and cobalt.
  • These metals are valuable and can be reused in various industries.

Lithium Brine Slurry:

  • This contains dissolved electrolytes and lithium
    salts    .
  • Lithium salts are essential for producing new lithium-ion batteries.

Li-Ion Fluff:

  • This mixture consists of plastics and some steel.
  • Plastics can be recycled, and steel can be repurposed.