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Batteries

    • SWALCO accepts rechargeable (NI-CAD), Lithium and Metal Hydride Batteries at their HCW Collections.  
    • Several hardware/home stores like Home Depot, Lowes and Ace Hardware will take rechargeable batteries and recycle them.  See below.
    • There are some places that take alkaline batteries (usually for a fee).  See below.

    HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES/ALKALINE BATTERIES
    Household alkaline batteries may be recycled through a number of programs including those listed below (links below).  If you can not recycle them, they can be disposed of in your garbage.

    Batteries Plus
    They will recycle alkaline in addition to these types of spent batteries: lead acid (Pb) batteries used in cars, trucks and emergency lighting, Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries used in cordless phones, cordless tools and two way radios, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries used in camcorders, bar code scanners and digital cameras, Lithium Ion (Li Ion) or Lithium Polymer (Li Poly) used in cell phones and laptops. 

    Drop off batteries FREE OF CHARGE at:
    o        409 Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Contact 847.550.6545
    o        1212 East Central Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. Contact 847.818.0659

    Purchase a battery recycling kit at:
    o            Battery Solutions 
    o        The Big Green Box
    o        Waste Management Think Green From Home Battery Recycling

    RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
    There are now a number of locations where residents can drop off rechargeable batteries to be recycled.  Through the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, a non-profit public service organization, a variety of retailers around the nation have signed on to the Charge Up to Recycle! Program and have drop-off barrels in their stores for consumer’s worn-out rechargeable batteries.  There is no charge for the program. Call 800.8BATTERY for other collection sites in your zip code.

    A number of hardware, office supply, home and retail stores now offer rechargeable battery drop-off boxes for recycling including:

      • Ace Hardware
      • Best Buy
      • Lowe's
      • Office Depot
      • Office Max
      • Radio Shack
      • Staples
      • Target
      • Walmart

    Visit Call 2 Recycle (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation) and enter your zip code to find more rechargeable battery recycling locations.

    Best Buy stores in the U.S. accept rechargeable batteries at their free recycling kiosks.

    LEAD-ACID AUTOMOTIVE BATTERES
    Most scrap dealers and auto parts stores and auto service centers will accept these

      •  Clearview Recycling (formerly Tom's Auto) in Hainesville (847.546.5422)  - they will pay you for them – payment depends on type and size of item. They will also take other lead-acid batteries including: sump-pump back-up battery, cameras, emergency exit light batteries, etc. and will pay you for them.  Payment depends on type and size of item.
      • Lake County Scrap Metal will also pay you for your automotive and other lead-acid batteries based on weight.
      • Auto Parts City in Gurnee (847.244.7171) - Auto Parts City will take 1 or 2 household automotive batteries at no charge.
      • Other retail automotive service centers will take these.  A core charge usually will be assessed for accepting the old battery. Other locations that accept car batteries include Sears, K-Mart and WalMart stores with auto service facilities, and other national chains such as Auto Zone, Batteries Plus, NAPA Auto Parts, PEP Boys and Trak Auto stores.
        Call ahead to determine their processes and to find out if there is a fee.
      • Please see our Facilities and Services page for a list of other scrap dealers.