Hero training
Battery Smarts
Battery basics
What's inside?
Batteries are made of metals like zinc and steel, plus special chemicals that store energy.
Not in the trash!
In the trash, batteries get crushed and their metals and chemicals end up in landfills instead of being reused.
Recycling magic
When batteries are recycled, the metals are taken out and used again to make new things.
Hero tip: recycled batteries help make new things, so every one you save counts!
Lithium batteries: STOP!
Lithium and rechargeable batteries must NOT go in our collection boxes.
These are found in phones, some toys, vapes, and power banks. If they get bumped, crushed, or damaged, they can get very hot and start a fire.
Ask a grown-up to take them to a proper drop-off location.
Find a drop-off near youAlkaline vs. Lithium: How to Tell
Alkaline
Yes! Goes in our box
- • Label usually says "Alkaline"
- • Sizes AA, AAA, C, D, or 9V
- • Used once, then done
- • Found in remotes, flashlights, clocks
Lithium / Rechargeable
No! Never in our box
- • Label says "Lithium," "Li-ion," "Rechargeable," "NiMH"
- • Often flat, square, or built into a device
- • Can be charged again and again
- • Found in phones, tablets, vapes, power banks
Hero tip: if a battery is in a phone, a vape, or a power bank, it is lithium. Keep it out of our box!
Play the game
True or False?
Question 1 of 5
Used batteries should go in the regular trash.
Think hard, hero! Tap True or False for each one.