Rechargeable Batteries Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage & Drains Return-To-Retail The NYS Rechargeable Battery Law requires manufacturers of covered rechargeable batteries to collect and recycle rechargeable batteries through a manufacturer funded program at no cost to consumers. Most rechargeable batteries contain toxic metals that can be released into the environment when improperly disposed. NYS consumers can return rechargeable batteries to retailers that sell them for proper management and recycling at the end of their useful life. Covered rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium, sealed lead, lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, any other such dry cell battery capable of being recharged, and battery packs containing any of the above-mentioned batteries. CLICK HERE to learn more about rechargeable battery recycling. Alternative Ways to Recycle Lowe's Recycling Program Lowe’s accepts rechargeable batteries and CFLs at any of their store locations for free recycling. Find the nearest Lowe’s. The Office Depot Battery Recycling Program Office Depot allows consumers to bring their rechargeable batteries to any location for free recycling. Find the nearest Office Depot. Best Buy's Electronics and Appliances Recycling Program Best Buy will take back rechargeable batteries as well as the following: battery backups (UPS), button batteries, cellphone batteries and laptop batteries. They do not accept single-use, car or other wet cell batteries. Find out more about Best Buy’s recycling program. Recycle With Call2Recycle Call2Recycle is a no-cost recycling program with collection sites all across the United States and Canada. They have locations that accept devices containing lithium-ion batteries. Learn more about Call2Recycle. Cirba Solutions Battery Recycling Cirba Solutions offers mail-in battery recycling kits. Their programs aim to help people recycle their batteries properly and conveniently. Learn more about Cirba Solutions. The Big Green Box Battery Recycling Program The Big Green Box is a mail-in battery recycling program for both residences and businesses. Their system is simple: Order a box, fill it up with your used batteries and then ship it back to the company’s EPA-approved recycling center. Did You Know? Battery Explodes in Garbage Truck One battery recently caused an explosion in a UK garbage truck, starting a fire and contaminating over six tons of recycling. Because batteries contain chemicals that can ignite, it is important to dispose of them correctly, and not just toss them in with other trash or recycling. Battery Technology Innovations “A battery will do for the electricity supply chain what refrigeration did to our food supply chain,” said MIT electrochemist Donald Sadoway in a Grist article. Sadoway and his peers are developing new battery technology using materials such as molten metal and saltwater. The energy storage capacity of these technologies could lead to a new era for electric cars and the electricity grid.