Can you put lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries in a dumpster?

Short answer: Never. Rechargeable batteries can start fires in trucks and landfills.

Why

EPA says Li-ion batteries in the trash or recycling can be crushed and start fires, and that rechargeable batteries should never go in household garbage or recycling bins. Dumpsters.com says items with lithium batteries cannot be placed in its dumpsters. California classifies all batteries as universal waste that can't go in the trash (DTSC).

What to do with them instead

Tape the terminals or bag each battery, then use a Call2Recycle or retailer drop-off, an electronics recycler or HHW.

Sources

EPA - Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
EPA - Used Household Batteries
Dumpsters.com - What Can't You Put in a Dumpster? (Prohibited Items)
California DTSC - Universal Waste

Checked October 2026. Rules change; your hauler's prohibited-items list is the final word.

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