RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: TINY BUT TOXIC - BUTTON BATTERIES

Mar 4, 2026

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: TINY BUT TOXIC – BUTTON BATTERIES

Button cell batteries are the small, flat, round batteries found in watches, hearing aids, key fobs, calculators, toys, and medical devices. They may be tiny, but they contain valuable materials and can create safety hazards if thrown in the trash. Because they are so small, button batteries are often tossed with household waste. However, lithium coin cells can spark fires, and older batteries may contain heavy metals that should not end up in landfills.

Recycling helps recover valuable metals and protect both people and the environment.

Why Recycling Button Batteries Matters

Child Safety — Button batteries are extremely dangerous if swallowed and can cause serious internal burns within hours.

Fire Prevention — Lithium coin cells can ignite if they contact metal or are crushed in trash trucks or waste facilities.

Resource Recovery — Recycling allows valuable materials like silver, lithium, and zinc to be recovered and reused.

How to Recycle Button Batteries

Watch repair shops and jewelers often recycle watch batteries.
Hearing aid providers frequently accept used zinc-air batteries.
Electronics and hardware stores may offer battery drop-off programs.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events also accept batteries.

Safe Handling Tips

Place clear tape over both sides of used batteries
Store used batteries in a sealed container out of reach of children
Do NOT place button batteries in curbside recycling or trash

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