Beginning January 1, 2026, all single-use and most rechargeable batteries will be accepted at retail and government locations throughout the state for drop-off recycling, thanks to the Illinois Battery Stewardship Law.
The non-profit organization Battery Network has been working to establish a network of collection sites to meet the requirements of the new law. To find a location near you, visit batterynetwork.org. This website will be updated as new drop off sites come online. Retailers continue to adjust to the new regulations, please call locations before visiting to confirm they will accept your battery type.
Under this new Illinois Law, household and medium-format batteries are prohibited from being tossed in the garbage and must be properly recycled.
What are household and medium-format batteries?
Household batteries: Primary (single-use) and rechargeable batteries found in everyday home devices (remotes, toys, flashlights, cordless tools, portable chargers, drones, medical devices, and more). If it powers a household device it’s likely a household battery.
Medium-format batteries: Larger rechargeable batteries commonly found in electric, cordless lawn mowers, snowblowers, e-bikes and e-scooters. These batteries are typically bigger than a cordless-tool battery, but smaller than an EV battery.