
Battery Recycling Changes at the Drop-Off Station
Press Release, January 10th, 2025
The Drop-Off Station will no longer accept the following types of batteries: alkaline, lithium-ion, lithium-ion polymer, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, and rechargeable batteries. The only batteries accepted at the Drop-Off Station are undamaged lead-acid car batteries. A recycling fee of $5 per battery will apply to lead-acid batteries.

Recycle Ann Arbor made this difficult decision for safety reasons. Due to the composition of these batteries, the complexity of safely storing and shipping them, and the risk of thermal flare-ups, we are no longer able to accept them at the Drop-Off Station. We will continue to explore solutions to these issues and may potentially be able to add some or all of them back in the future. In the meantime, it’s crucial to handle these batteries properly; below is a list of options for you to consider.
Batteries of all types and conditions can be taken to Washtenaw County's Home Toxics for proper recycling. Before you take them in, please contact Washtenaw Home Toxics for proper packaging requirements. For information about this program, including location, hours, and materials accepted, visit washtenaw.org/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Disposal or call (734) 222-3950. Some retail stores offer in-store drop-off battery recycling, including Staples, Batteries Plus, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. We recommend calling these locations in advance to confirm they currently accept them.
PLEASE HELP RECYCLE ANN ARBOR! Disposing of these batteries in the garbage — or worse, in your recycling cart—can cause severe damage and even fatalities. One of the most dangerous battery types commonly found in the recycling are lithium-ion batteries. These batteries pose a significant danger because they can enter an uncontrollable, self-heating state that may release gas, cause fires, and potentially lead to explosions, presenting a serious safety risk to our employees. Once a lithium-ion battery catches fire, it CANNOT be extinguished with traditional fire extinguishers, and water may not prevent it from burning or spreading. Even after a fire is put out, a lithium-ion battery can continue to generate heat and reignite without warning. Several recycling facilities across the country have completely burned down due to these batteries.

Batteries pose a continuous threat not only to Recycle Ann Arbor’s mission but also to recyclers nationwide and globally. The rising cost of insurance adds to the burden on recyclers, as insurance providers are tripling premiums due to battery-related risks. So please do not place batteries of any type in your curbside recycling; instead, recycle them only at approved locations.