Batteries are found in nearly every home. That means they are also found in nearly every estate cleanout.
They may be inside remote controls, flashlights, clocks, watches, hearing aids, key fobs, smoke detectors, toys, power tools, laptops, phones, medical devices, cameras, lawn equipment, mobility devices, and vehicles. Some are loose in drawers or cabinets. Others are still inside electronics or household devices. Many may have been unused for years.
Because batteries are so common, they are easy to overlook. But batteries should not be treated like ordinary household trash. Some can leak. Some can short-circuit. Some can start fires if crushed, punctured, overheated, or improperly handled. Depending on the state, some batteries may also be subject to specific recycling or disposal laws.
For executors and families, understanding battery disposal is an important part of a responsible estate cleanout.
Why Batteries Deserve Special Attention
During an estate cleanout, batteries are often discovered in large quantities and in unexpected places. A kitchen drawer may contain a mixture of AA batteries, button batteries, and 9-volt batteries. A garage may contain rechargeable tool batteries. A basement may include old laptops, cordless vacuums, lawn equipment batteries, or backup power batteries. Vehicles, scooters, and mobility devices may contain lead-acid or larger-format batteries.
The challenge is that not all batteries are the same.
Some single-use batteries may be handled differently from rechargeable batteries. Lithium-ion batteries require particular caution because of fire risk. Button and coin batteries should be handled carefully because of their small size and potential danger if swallowed by children or pets. Lead-acid batteries from vehicles or mobility equipment often have established recycling channels, but they should still be kept separate from general cleanout debris.
The safest approach is to identify batteries as they are found, avoid placing them in ordinary trash or curbside recycling without checking local rules, and use approved recycling or disposal options.
Common Batteries Found During Estate Cleanouts
Executors and families may encounter several types of batteries during a cleanout.
Single-Use Household Batteries
These include many AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt alkaline batteries. They are often found in remote controls, flashlights, radios, clocks, toys, smoke detectors, and drawers.
Rules for single-use batteries vary by state and locality. In some places, ordinary alkaline batteries may be allowed in household trash. In other places, recycling may be encouraged or required. Executors should check local guidance before disposal.
Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in power tools, cameras, cordless phones, laptops, phones, flashlights, toys, and other electronics. These batteries are more likely to be subject to recycling or take-back requirements.
Rechargeable batteries should generally not be placed in household trash or curbside recycling. Many can be recycled for free through participating retailers and battery recycling programs.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are found in phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, cordless vacuums, cameras, e-bikes, electric toothbrushes, speakers, vapes, power tools, lawn equipment, and many modern rechargeable devices.
These batteries require special care because they can catch fire if damaged, crushed, punctured, overheated, or short-circuited. Lithium-ion batteries should not be placed loose in household trash or curbside recycling bins.
Button and Coin Cell Batteries
Button and coin cell batteries are found in watches, hearing aids, key fobs, calculators, thermometers, greeting cards, small medical devices, and small electronics.
Because of their small size, these batteries can be especially dangerous if swallowed by children or pets. They should be handled carefully and taken to an appropriate recycling or collection location.
Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are commonly found in cars, motorcycles, lawn tractors, mobility scooters, alarm systems, and backup power systems.
These batteries are often accepted by auto parts stores, recycling centers, scrap yards, or household hazardous waste programs. They should not be mixed with ordinary household trash.
E-Bike and Medium-Format Batteries
Some estates may include e-bike batteries or larger rechargeable batteries from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, and other outdoor equipment.
These batteries may be accepted through special programs in some states or by certain recycling locations, but not everywhere. Executors should check the accepted battery types before making a trip.
Damaged, Swollen, Leaking, or Recalled Batteries
Damaged batteries require special caution. This includes batteries that are swollen, hot, leaking, corroded, punctured, crushed, or subject to recall.
These batteries should not be placed into ordinary public collection boxes. Executors should contact the local household hazardous waste program, recycling authority, or manufacturer for proper handling instructions.
Guidance from The Battery Network
Executorium received helpful guidance from Jennifer Childress, Senior Director, Marketing at The Battery Network.
Jennifer noted that estate cleanups are exactly the kind of situation where old batteries are likely to be found. Families may discover rechargeable batteries in tools, cordless devices, garages, basements, and storage areas. Some may be loose, while others may still be inside devices.
Her guidance reinforces several important points for executors and families.
Rechargeable Batteries Often Have Free Drop-Off Options
If rechargeable batteries are found during an estate cleanout, such as tool batteries, cordless device batteries, and other rechargeable household batteries, they can often be taken to major retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as other participating locations throughout the United States, for free recycling.
This is especially helpful when cleaning out garages, workshops, basements, utility rooms, and storage closets where old cordless drills, rechargeable flashlights, cameras, phones, and small electronics may have accumulated.
Executors should remove rechargeable batteries from devices when it is safe and practical to do so, protect exposed terminals when appropriate, and confirm the proper drop-off location before transporting them.
Single-Use Battery Rules Depend on the State
Jennifer also emphasized that laws vary by state, especially for single-use, or primary, batteries. These include ordinary household batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D, and similar batteries.
She noted that Illinois, Vermont, and the District of Columbia have laws regarding single-use batteries. In states or jurisdictions with these laws, single-use batteries may often be dropped off at many participating locations for free.
In states without such laws, families may need to use The Battery Network’s locator to find where primary batteries can be taken.
This is an important distinction for executors. A battery disposal practice that is acceptable in one state may not be acceptable in another. Executors handling an estate in a different state should check local rules rather than relying on assumptions.
Larger Batteries May Have Special Programs
Some estates include larger modern battery types that were less common in older cleanouts. These may include e-bike batteries, lawn mower batteries, leaf blower batteries, snow blower batteries, and other medium-format batteries.
Jennifer explained that some states now accept e-bike batteries and medium-format batteries through specific programs, but not all states do. The proper disposal option depends on the battery type and the state.
Executors should not assume that every drop-off location accepts every battery. The best approach is to use The Battery Network’s locator and select the specific type of battery being recycled.
Check the Locator Before Making the Trip
Battery recycling options vary by battery type, state law, and participating location. A store or recycling site that accepts rechargeable tool batteries may not accept single-use alkaline batteries. A location that accepts common household batteries may not accept e-bike batteries, medium-format batteries, or damaged batteries.
Before transporting batteries, executors should use The Battery Network’s drop-off locator and choose the battery type they want to recycle. This helps families avoid wasted trips and ensures batteries are taken to the right place.
The Battery Network’s Role
The Battery Network is a nonprofit organization funded by battery manufacturers. Through its program, participating manufacturers support education, awareness, collection, logistics, and the responsible and safe collection of used batteries.
The Battery Network also provides information about compliant stewards participating in its program, state recycling laws, battery safety, and drop-off locations.
For executors and families, The Battery Network can serve as a practical starting point for battery recycling questions during an estate cleanout.
State Laws Are Different
Battery disposal laws are not the same across the country.
Some states require special handling for rechargeable batteries. Some states have broader stewardship programs for both single-use and rechargeable household batteries. Some programs include medium-format batteries. Some communities rely on household hazardous waste events, local recycling centers, or retailer take-back programs.
Before disposing of estate batteries, executors should check:
- The Battery Network’s state recycling law pages
- The Battery Network’s drop-off locator
- the state environmental agency
- the county or municipal solid waste authority
- local household hazardous waste programs
- retailer or manufacturer take-back programs
Executors should also remember that local rules may be stricter than state rules.
Battery Disposal by Common Estate Item
The following examples can help families identify where batteries may be hiding:
- Remote controls often contain AA or AAA batteries.
- Flashlights may contain alkaline, rechargeable, or lithium batteries.
- Watches, hearing aids, calculators, thermometers, and key fobs often contain button or coin batteries.
- Cordless drills and power tools usually contain rechargeable battery packs.
- Phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, cordless vacuums, and power banks usually contain lithium-ion batteries.
- Smoke detectors may contain 9-volt batteries or sealed long-life batteries.
- Medical devices may contain specialty batteries.
- Cars, motorcycles, lawn tractors, alarm systems, and mobility scooters may contain lead-acid batteries.
- E-bikes, electric scooters, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and other electric outdoor equipment may contain larger rechargeable batteries.
- Vapes and small electronics often contain lithium-ion batteries and should not be thrown into ordinary trash.
Safety Tips for Handling Batteries During a Cleanout
Executors and families should use basic precautions when handling batteries:
- Do not place loose batteries in curbside recycling bins.
- Do not throw lithium-ion batteries into household trash.
- Do not store loose batteries in metal containers.
- Keep batteries away from paper, fabric, gasoline, paint, solvents, cleaning chemicals, and other flammable materials.
- Keep batteries in a cool, dry place before drop-off.
- Do not leave batteries in direct sunlight, a hot garage, or near a furnace.
- Protect the terminals of 9-volt batteries, lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, button batteries, and coin batteries when appropriate.
- Do not crush, bend, open, puncture, or test batteries by touching them together.
- Do not place damaged, swollen, leaking, hot, or recalled batteries into ordinary public collection boxes.
- Do not assume every battery recycling site accepts every battery type.
- Do not ship batteries unless following proper packaging and shipping rules.
Practical Steps for Executors
During an estate cleanout, executors can follow this practical process:
1. Look for batteries throughout the property.
Check drawers, closets, garages, basements, vehicles, tools, electronics, toys, medical devices, and storage areas.
2. Remove batteries when safe and practical.
Remove batteries from items that will be discarded, donated, recycled, or sold, but only when it is safe and reasonable to do so.
3. Identify the general battery type.
Sort batteries broadly by type: single-use, rechargeable, lithium-ion, button or coin cell, lead-acid, e-bike, medium-format, or damaged.
4. Separate damaged batteries.
Keep damaged, swollen, leaking, corroded, or hot batteries separate from ordinary batteries and seek local hazardous waste guidance.
5. Check state and local rules.
Battery disposal requirements vary by location. State agencies, county solid waste authorities, municipal recycling programs, and household hazardous waste programs may all provide guidance.
6. Use the correct locator or take-back program.
Use The Battery Network locator to find the correct drop-off option by battery type. Also check approved retailer take-back, recycling, or household hazardous waste programs.
7. Keep records when appropriate.
If the estate requires documentation of responsible disposal, keep notes, receipts, or confirmation from the recycling or disposal program.
More Than a Cleanup Detail
Battery disposal may seem like a small part of an estate cleanout, but it can affect safety, compliance, and responsible property management.
Executors are often focused on larger issues such as probate, real estate, personal property distribution, family communication, and deadlines. Still, batteries deserve attention because they are common, easy to overlook, and sometimes risky when handled improperly.
When handled thoughtfully, battery disposal can help families reduce hazards, follow local rules, avoid improper disposal, and complete the estate cleanout in a more responsible and organized way.
The Battery Network Resources
- The Battery Network — Home
General resource for battery recycling education, awareness, collection programs, and responsible battery management. - Compliant Stewards — The Battery Network
Lists manufacturers and participating stewards involved in The Battery Network’s regulated state and voluntary battery recycling programs. - Drop-off Locations — The Battery Network
Locator tool to find nearby battery drop-off locations by area and battery type. - State Recycling Laws — The Battery Network
State-by-state resource explaining battery recycling laws, requirements, and special handling rules. - Safety — The Battery Network
Safety guidance for preparing, storing, transporting, and recycling used batteries. - Introducing The Battery Network: Leading the Charge
Background on The Battery Network and its transition from Call2Recycle.
Other Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Used Household Batteries
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency — Batteries
- The Home Depot — The Home Depot & Call2Recycle: Making Battery Recycling Easy for Customers
- Energizer — Where to Recycle Batteries — North America
- University of Illinois Extension — Know before you throw, new law expands free battery recycling options
- Waste Advantage Magazine — Illinois Battery Recycling Program to Include Household and Medium-Format Batteries
- Associated Press — You can give old batteries a new life by safely recycling them
Acknowledgements
Executorium would like to thank The Battery Network and Jennifer Childress for their help in drafting this article. We appreciate their willingness to share their resources and reference material for the benefit of estates seeking to undertake their estate cleanout responsibilities in a sustainable way.
