Don’t Toss That Battery: A Complete NYC Guide to Legally Disposing of AA, AAAA, & Alkaline Cells

08/27/2025

If you live in New York City, you’ve probably asked a version of the same question while staring at a drawer full of used AA and AAA batteries: Can you throw away alkaline batteries, or is that illegal? The short answer in NYC is nuanced. Alkaline batteries (like most AA and AAA) are legal to put in the trash, but many other batteries are not—and mixing any kind of battery into recycling is a fire risk that can lead to fines and damaged collection trucks. This guide breaks down NYC rules, shows you exactly where to dispose of batteries near you, and gives a simple plan you can follow today—even if you’re in a fifth-floor walk-up. We’ll also show how CTK Junk Removal fits in when the cleanout goes beyond a few batteries. (nyc.gov, epa.gov)

Step 1: Identify the battery type

• Alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V): Legal to place in trash in NYC; drop-off also available. If you do trash them, tape the terminals on D and 9V to prevent sparking. (nyc.gov)

• Rechargeable (NiMH, NiCd, lithium-ion, sealed lead, tool batteries, e-bike packs): Illegal to throw away; must be recycled through retail take-back or DSNY Special Waste. (dec.ny.gov)

• Lithium primary and button/coin cells: Do not put in trash; bring to Special Waste or a participating store drop-off. Keep away from kids; these are a swallowing risk. (nyc.gov)

• Lead-acid (car/marine): Illegal to trash; return to auto retailers (there’s a $5 incentive if you don’t return one at purchase) and a civil penalty up to $50 for illegal disposal. (dec.ny.gov)

Step 2: Prep and safe storage

• For non-alkaline batteries (rechargeables, lithium primary, button cells): Individually bag or cover terminals with clear tape; store in a non-metal container until drop-off. Avoid opaque tape; follow store or DSNY instructions. (nyc.gov)

• For alkaline: No bagging needed for drop-off; if disposing in trash, tape D and 9V terminals. Keep batteries away from heat sources; don’t toss them loose into a metal junk drawer. (nyc.gov, epa.gov)

Step 3: Choose your drop-off option

• DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off sites (free for residents; no businesses/commercial vehicles). Bring proof of NYC residency. Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., closed on legal holidays and during severe weather. Sites accept batteries, including alkalines (no bagging/taping needed for alkalines at drop-off). Details and addresses below. (nyc.gov)

• SAFE Disposal Events (seasonal): Accept harmful household items such as rechargeable batteries and electronics; check current schedule (as of August 27, 2025, no events are scheduled—check back in Fall 2025). (nyc.gov)

• In-store take-back (Call2Recycle network): In New York State, retailers that sell rechargeables or products containing them must accept used rechargeable batteries from consumers at no charge; many Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other stores host Call2Recycle bins. Always confirm accepted types before you go; most retail bins focus on rechargeable batteries. (dec.ny.gov, ecoactions.homedepot.com, homedepot.com)

Step 4: Drop off by borough—neighborhood spots you can actually use

• Bronx: Special Waste Drop-Off at Hunts Point—Farragut Street at the East River (next to the Fulton Fish Market; enter via Farragut off Food Center Drive). Accepts batteries including alkaline and lithium primary; follow prep rules. Thu–Sat, 9–5. Bring proof of residency. (nyc.gov)

• Brooklyn: Special Waste Drop-Off at Greenpoint—459 North Henry Street (entrance off Kingsland Ave, north of Greenpoint Ave). Same rules/hours as above. (nyc.gov)

• Manhattan: Special Waste Drop-Off under the Manhattan Bridge—74 Pike Slip between Cherry and South Streets (LES/Two Bridges). Thu–Sat, 9–5. This site now gives Manhattanites a convenient year-round option. (nyc.gov)

• Queens: Special Waste Drop-Off at College Point—30th Ave between 120th and 122nd Streets (near DSNY Queens District 7 garage). Thu–Sat, 9–5. (nyc.gov)

• Staten Island: Special Waste Drop-Off at Fresh Kills—off Muldoon Ave exit of the southbound West Shore Expressway (past DSNY security booth). Thu–Sat, 9–5. (nyc.gov)

Pro tip: If you’re searching “where to dispose of lithium batteries near me” or “where to recycle alkaline batteries near me,” use the Call2Recycle locator for nearby retail drop-off points and check acceptance notes before you head out—some sites only take rechargeable batteries, not single-use alkalines. (dec.ny.gov)

5. Timing and Scenarios: When to act

• Moving day or deep clean: Combine battery drop-off with your donation run. If you’re scheduling junk removal NYC for furniture or bulk items, handle batteries separately first so everything else can go quickly. If you’re in Brooklyn or Queens, consider a Saturday morning drop at Greenpoint or College Point before your movers arrive. (nyc.gov)

• After holidays or school year: Many NYC households go through piles of AA and AAA for toys and gadgets. Store spent batteries safely and set a once-a-month drop-off reminder. (epa.gov)

• Office/retail cleanouts: For a larger volume of rechargeables, coordinate with a retailer’s take-back program or a permitted recycler. Remember: DSNY’s public Special Waste sites are for residents only, not businesses. (nyc.gov)

6. Further Learning Resources

• NYC Department of Sanitation Batteries page (what’s legal, how to prep, where to go) and Special Waste Drop-Off info and hours. (nyc.gov)

• SAFE Disposal Events—check for the latest borough dates. (nyc.gov)

• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): Rechargeable Battery Recycling Law—your rights and retailer obligations; penalties for violations; lead-acid battery rules. (dec.ny.gov, newyork.public.law)

• U.S. EPA: Used Household Batteries—general guidance and safety tips. (epa.gov)

• FDNY: Lithium-ion battery safety and how to report improper storage, charging, or disposal in NYC. (home.nyc.gov)

• Call2Recycle: National locator for rechargeable battery drop-off sites. (dec.ny.gov)

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do you dispose of batteries in NYC if they’re just AA/AAA alkaline?
A: Alkaline batteries can legally go in the regular trash in NYC. If you choose to toss them, tape the terminals of D and 9V to reduce spark risk. Or bring them to a Special Waste Drop-Off site; no bagging or tape is needed for alkalines at drop-off. (nyc.gov)

Q: Can alkaline batteries be recycled?
A: Yes—while not as widely accepted as rechargeables at retail bins, alkalines are accepted at DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off sites. Some private mail-in programs also exist if you prefer to recycle every battery from your home. (nyc.gov, homedepot.com)

Q: Is it illegal to throw rechargeable batteries in the trash in New York?
A: Yes. New York State law prohibits it and requires retailers that sell rechargeables (or products containing them) to take them back at no cost. (dec.ny.gov)

Q: What are the fines for improper battery disposal?
A: Under state law, a person who violates the rechargeable battery disposal ban faces civil penalties of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense within 12 months, and $200 for subsequent offenses within 12 months. Retailers and manufacturers face higher penalties for failing to comply with take-back rules. (newyork.public.law)

Q: Where to dispose of batteries near me if I don’t have a car?
A: Use the Manhattan site at 74 Pike Slip (under the Manhattan Bridge), or take public transit to Brooklyn’s Greenpoint site or Queens’ College Point site if that’s more convenient. For rechargeables, many neighborhood retailers participate in Call2Recycle, so you may have a drop-off within walking distance. Always confirm acceptable battery types before you go. (nyc.gov, dec.ny.gov)

Q: What about button-cell and coin batteries from remotes and toys?
A: Don’t trash them; they may contain hazardous materials and are a swallowing risk for kids. Tape terminals or bag individually and drop off at Special Waste or an appropriate retailer. (nyc.gov)

Q: How to dispose of lithium batteries?
A: Treat lithium-ion and lithium primary batteries as special waste. Do not throw them in the trash or with your recycling. Bag and tape as directed and drop off at Special Waste sites or appropriate retail collection points. If you see swelling, isolate the battery and contact a drop-off site or 311 for guidance. (nyc.gov)

Q: Does NYC garbage removal pick up batteries curbside?
A: No. Batteries should not go with curbside recycling; alkaline may go in trash, but most other batteries require drop-off or take-back. Keep all batteries out of blue/clear recycling bags and out of chutes. (nyc.gov)

Q: I have a car battery. Where do I take it?
A: Return lead-acid batteries to auto parts retailers; New York law supports take-back and imposes a civil penalty up to $50 for illegal disposal. (dec.ny.gov)

Q: How do I keep track so I’m not running out every week?
A: Collect household batteries in a lidded, non-metal container, label it by chemistry if you can (alkaline vs rechargeable), and make a monthly drop-off routine. For apartments, ask your super if your building wants to set up a small collection for residents’ rechargeables that are then taken to a retailer per the law. (dec.ny.gov)

• A local note on junk removal, cleanouts, and how CTK fits in When your project is bigger than a battery drawer—think moving, estate cleanouts, or a home office refresh—you may search for best junk removal NYC, cheapest junk removal NYC, or even free junk removal NYC to figure out next steps. Here’s the reality: DSNY offers free disposal options for certain items and special events, but hazardous items (including many batteries and electronics with batteries) have specific rules and aren’t collected curbside. If your goal is “pick up my junk” or “take my junk” in one shot, CTK Junk Removal can handle furniture, appliances without Freon, renovation debris, attic/garage clutter, and more, while helping you separate out battery waste and electronics to keep your cleanup safe and compliant. We serve all boroughs—junk removal Brooklyn, junk removal Queens, junk removal Bronx, and junk removal Manhattan—on schedules that work around NYC parking and walk-up constraints. For e-waste or anything with rechargeable batteries, we route materials to compliant programs and certified recyclers rather than curbside. If you’ve been comparing options like Junkluggers NYC or other junk luggers you’ve seen on junk removal NYC reddit, add us to your shortlist—call to discuss scope and timing, and we’ll build a plan that fits your building rules and move-out deadlines. (nyc.gov)

• Battery laws and the fine print—what NYC residents should remember

• It is illegal to put rechargeable batteries in the trash anywhere in New York State. Retailers that sell rechargeables must accept them for free during business hours (generally up to 10 per person per day). (dec.ny.gov)

• People who ignore the rechargeable battery disposal ban can face civil penalties ($50 first offense, $100 second within 12 months, $200 after that). Retailers and manufacturers face higher fines for noncompliance. (newyork.public.law)

• In NYC, alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) are allowed in household trash. However, DSNY encourages safe handling (tape terminals on D and 9V if trashing) and also accepts alkaline at Special Waste sites if you prefer to recycle them. Never place any batteries in curbside recycling bins. (nyc.gov)

10. Borough cheat sheet—where to go today

• Bronx: Hunts Point Special Waste Drop-Off (Farragut St by the East River; enter off Food Center Dr). Thu–Sat, 9–5; bring proof of residency; residents only. (nyc.gov)

• Brooklyn: Greenpoint Special Waste Drop-Off (459 N Henry St; entrance off Kingsland Ave). Same rules/hours. (nyc.gov)

• Manhattan: 74 Pike Slip (LES/Two Bridges, under the Manhattan Bridge). Convenient for walk-ups downtown and anyone without a car. Thu–Sat, 9–5. (nyc.gov)

• Queens: College Point Special Waste Drop-Off (30th Ave between 120th–122nd St). Thu–Sat, 9–5. (nyc.gov)

• Staten Island: Fresh Kills Special Waste Drop-Off (off Muldoon Ave exit, past DSNY security booth). Thu–Sat, 9–5. (nyc.gov)

11. Pro tips for NYC apartments and small offices

• For walk-ups: Keep a small “battery jar” by the door, bag and label non-alkaline types as you go, and bring them on your next errand near a participating retailer. If you’re unsure, search Call2Recycle and use the locator. (dec.ny.gov)

• For supers and co-op boards: Post a simple sign clarifying that batteries never go in building recycling; provide directions to the nearest Special Waste location, and remind residents that throwing rechargeables in the trash is illegal. (nyc.gov, dec.ny.gov)

• For home businesses: Because DSNY’s public sites are for residents only, set up a retail take-back routine or use a permitted recycler. Avoid stockpiling; store safely away from heat sources and out of reach of kids. (nyc.gov, epa.gov)

• For cleanouts involving electronics: Remove any easily removable rechargeable batteries before donating or scheduling a junk removal service, or be ready to send items with embedded batteries to certified e-waste recyclers. (dec.ny.gov)

Summary and next steps You now know how to dispose of alkaline batteries in NYC without confusion or risk: identify the battery, prep it correctly, and choose the drop-off option that fits your schedule. Alkalines can legally go in the trash, but rechargeables, lithium primary, and button cells must not. With five DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off sites open Thursday–Saturday, and retailer take-back programs throughout the city, you’ve got safe, free options close to home. If your project also includes furniture, appliances, or renovation debris, CTK Junk Removal makes the rest of your cleanup simple while keeping you compliant with NYC rules.

Call us for a free quote today at (929) 583-5213 or visit us to book: www.ctk-junkremoval.com