Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois law requires battery manufacturers to fund battery collection for recycling, with no cost to the consumer. Batteries can NOT be recycled in your home recycling bin. They may only be recycled through special drop-off collection locations.
Why battery recycling matters
Batteries are made from metals and minerals mined using processes that are often damaging to the environment. When batteries are recycled, these materials can be captured and reused. This reduces the need for newly mined materials. In addition, certain battery chemistries are dangerous in the waste and household recycling streams. Many contain material that is toxic to the environment or may become a fire or explosion hazard in waste collection vehicles or waste processing facilities.
How do I participate?
Visit https://www.call2recycle.org/illinois/ to find a drop-off location near you. Enter your city or postal code and select the type of battery (rechargeable, single-use, medium format, or damaged/defective) you need to recycle to obtain a list of locations accepting those items.
Be aware that some facilities may take your used batteries in bulk and mixed together. These facilities take the responsibility of packaging them safely for shipping to specialized recyclers. However, many facilities require residents to separate alkaline batteries from rechargeable batteries and will require you to properly protect battery terminals to reduce the risk of fire. This is done by covering battery terminals with clear packing tape (ideal), duct tape (acceptable), or electrical tape (acceptable), or by placing a single battery in very small, individual, clear plastic bag.
To learn more about batteries and their responsible use and disposal, visit the Illinois Product Stewardship Council website at www.illinoispsc.org/batteries.
To read the full text of the Illinois Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act, visit https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/103/SB/10300SB3686enr.htm.