Lithium-ion Batteries

July 16, 2025

Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are banned from disposal in New Hampshire.

Li-ion batteries should NEVER be put in the trash or mixed recycling. When crushed or damaged, they can ignite – causing intense fires that burn hotter and longer than a regular fire.

Li-ions are a type of rechargeable battery used in a wide variety of consumer goods, including:

• Cordless power tools.

• Electric vehicles, bikes, hoverboards and scooters.

• Electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, wireless headphones, speakers).

• Lawncare equipment.

• Personal care items (rechargeable toothbrushes, shavers).

• Toys.

Who does the disposal ban apply to?

As of July 1, 2025, Li-ion batteries are prohibited from New Hampshire's landfills and incinerators. Everyone in New Hampshire, households and businesses, must recycle their lithium-ion batteries through special battery collection programs. NEVER mix Li-ion batteries with your other recyclables!

Where do I recycle my Li-ion batteries?

Many New Hampshire municipalities and businesses offer collection boxes for recycling rechargeable Li-ion batteries. To find a drop-off site near you:

• Contact your transfer station.

• Search online for “Battery Recyclers in New Hampshire.”

• Search online for battery mail-back programs.

• Check the site locators on Call2Recycle.org or Earth911.com.

• Visit a participating retailer such as:

  • BatteriesPlus.

  • Best Buy.

  • Home Depot.

  • Lowe's.

  • Staples.

Remember - if it's rechargeable, it's recyclable!

Vapes/E-cigarettes? These devices have batteries! DO NOT TRASH. Nicotine is an acute hazardous waste. Vapes and e-cigarettes must be managed as hazardous waste. Contact your town for disposal options. 

Dangers of Improper Disposal

When put in the trash or mixed recycling, rechargeable Li-ion batteries are likely to be punctured or crushed and cause a fire. Damage to the internal structure of a lithium-ion battery can trigger chemical reactions that cause the battery to heat uncontrollably, a state known as “thermal runaway.” 

Thermal runaway can result in extremely high temperatures, release of toxic fumes, smoke, and fire. When a Li-ion battery experiences thermal runaway within a load of trash or mixed recyclables, the fire can easily spread to other ignitable materials within the load, putting the health and safety of waste haulers and facility workers at risk, and causing extensive damage to facilities and equipment. For this reason, Li-ion batteries need to be collected separately to be properly recycled.

Resources for Residents, Municipalities and Solid Waste Facilities

• Printable brochure  about New Hampshire’s Li-ion battery disposal ban and recycling options for residents.

• Sign for facilities  to notify facility users about the Li-ion battery disposal ban.

• NHDES Resources for Managing Batteries.

• NH Recycles Battery Toolkit.

• U.S. EPA Used Household Batteries webpage.

• National Fire Protection Association Lithium-ion Battery Safety.

Need help identifying a battery? 

To learn more about different types of batteries, visit the U.S. EPA Used Household Batteries webpage or the Battery section of the NHDES Managing My Waste webpage.

Questions?

Residents should contact their local transfer station or the NHDES Household Hazardous Waste Program via email at hhw@des.nh.gov or by phone at (603) 271-2047. Businesses should contact the Hazardous Waste Helpline at 1-866-HAZ-WAST.