How to recycle
Recycling your lithium-ion batteries is simple. Follow these easy steps and help us keep end-of-life lithium-ion batteries out of landfills.
Easy steps
Step 1
What can I recycle?
Cell phones
Electric toothbrushes
Hair clippers
Electric shavers
Cordless vacuums
Mixers/blenders
Robot vacuum
Electric lawn mower batteries
Laptops
Tablets
Bluetooth speakers
E-readers
Smart watches
Leaf/snow blowers batteries
Video game controller
TV remote control
Vapes (no tobacco residue inside)
E-bike batteries
Wireless headphones
Power tool batteries
Wireless keyboards/mice
Hearing aids
Electric scooter batteries
Security camera
Please note:
To recycle your device with us, the item must contain a lithium-ion battery. It must not require a plugged-in cord to operate. We only accept rechargeable items with lithium-ion batteries.
A few examples of the different types of lithium-ion batteries you can recycle with us:
What is NOT accepted?
Flat screen TVs
Printers
Copiers
Circuit Boards
Please note:
If the item requires a plugged-in cord to operate, we cannot accept it. We are only able to accept wireless products with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Step 2
Preparing items for recycling
How do I package my batteries?
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all loose battery terminals to be protected prior to transport. The two approved methods of protection are individually bagging batteries or taping the end terminals.
If you’re bagging your batteries, please use the sealable bags provided or any clear sandwich bag. Place battery inside bag and seal it closed.
If you’re taping your batteries, please make sure to only use non-conductive tape such as electrical tape, duct tape, or clear packaging tape. Please do not use masking tape. Apply a layer of tape around the circumference of the battery.
Any consumer devices with a battery inside (ex: phone, laptop, or tablet) can be placed directly in the bin.
Do I need to remove the battery from the device before dropping it off?
No, you can drop the entire device in the collection bin.
Should I wipe my data?
Before dropping off a personal device, we encourage you to sign out of all your accounts, remove the SIM card and perform a factory reset to remove all personal data. Once received at Redwood (our processing location), devices are secured until they are recycled, ensuring any remaining personal information is completely destroyed.
Individuals recycling devices are responsible for wiping any personal data from devices prior to dropping them in the collection bin.Factory reset instructions:
Do I bring chargers & accessories?
You do NOT need to bring any accessories or chargers to recycle your item.
How many batteries and devices can I bring?
You can recycle as many approved devices or batteries as you like.
Step 3
Find a location
Where can I recycle?
We hold lithium-ion recycling events across the U.S.. You can find recycling events near you or host your own.
Step 4
Attend a recycling event
Are the events contactless?
Yes. Most recycling events are drive-throughs, and volunteers will take items directly from your vehicle.
What happens to my items?
At the conclusion of the event, Redwood Materials will take the full containers to their northern Nevada facility to be recycled.
Redwood’s technology can recover, on average, more than 95 percent of the critical minerals and elements from batteries (like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper) and then reintroduce those materials back into the supply chain for U.S. battery manufacturers.
Why does it matter?
This program brings us one step closer to creating a domestic, circular supply chain for all end-of-life batteries and solving the environmental impacts of new products before they happen. Learn more.
“The largest lithium and cobalt mines in the western hemisphere can be found in America’s junk drawers.”
– JB Straubel, Founder & CEO, Redwood Materials
(co-founder and ex CTO at Tesla).
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