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Battery Recycling · Dallas, TX

Lithium Ion Battery Disposal in Dallas

Before you go

Lithium cells are the item on this site most likely to cause an actual fire. Two minutes of tape prevents nearly all of it.

  1. Tape the terminals

    Clear packing tape or electrical tape over the contacts. It stops a loose cell shorting against metal in a bin, which is one of the ways these start fires. It is not the main one: most battery fires at recycling facilities begin with a cell being crushed, so taping a cell does not make it safe to put in a bin that is not meant for batteries.

  2. Never put them in curbside recycling or the trash

    A lithium cell that gets crushed in a collection truck or a sorting line starts a fire that's very hard to put out. This is the reason your hauler asks.

  3. Handle a swollen or hot battery differently

    Put it in a non-flammable container (a metal tin, or sand or cat litter in a bucket), keep it away from anything that burns, and call the site before you drive over. Some locations won't accept a damaged cell over the counter.

  4. Bag cells individually where tape won't stick

    Recessed or irregular terminals don't hold tape well. A separate zip bag per cell does the same job of keeping contacts apart.

  5. Run it down before it sits in a drawer

    A cell waiting a few days is safer at a low state of charge than a full one. Don't fully discharge it either; around half is the comfortable place.

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Lithium Ion Battery Disposal in Dallas

3 free · 0 fee-based

Facility Cost Open now Notes
Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3)(214) 553-1765 Free
for Dallas residents (show proof of address)		 Tue 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-5 PM; 2nd & 4th Sat 9 AM-3 PM Walk-in Regional Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3) operated by Dallas County.
Home Depot (Dallas-Fort Worth) Free Hours not published Walk-in Home Depot locations in Dallas participate in the Call2Recycle program for rechargeab…
Lowe's (Dallas-Fort Worth) Free Hours not published Walk-in Lowe's locations in DFW also participate in the Call2Recycle program for rechargeable…

How it works in Dallas

Lithium-ion batteries are banned from Dallas curbside trash/recycling due to fire risk. Free drop-off at Call2Recycle bins at Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Staples (rechargeable only). HC3 accepts all battery types including lithium-ion. Tape terminals before drop-off. Car batteries go to AutoZone or O'Reilly.

Local rules

  • Dallas City Code Chapter 20-64(2): prohibits disposal of hazardous waste (including electronics, batteries, chemicals, paint) in curbside garbage or recycling containers. Violations can result in administrative fees.
  • Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 361.106: prohibits improper disposal of lead-acid batteries, waste oil, and used oil filters. Applies statewide.

Worth knowing

  • McCommas Bluff Landfill and the transfer stations (Bachman, Fair Oaks, Westmoreland) all accept electronics but NOT paint, chemicals, or most batteries — those go to HC3. There is no single 'dump everything here' facility in Dallas. You may need two stops.

Dallas County household hazardous waste

Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3)

Free for City of Dallas residents at 11234 Plano Rd, Dallas 75243. Tue 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-5 PM; 2nd & 4th Sat 9 AM-3 PM. Mon-Fri closed. No appointment needed. Accepts HHW, batteries, paint, computers, cell phones, automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs. TVs and appliances NOT accepted — take those to a city transfer station or McCommas Bluff Landfill. Free BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) mobile events also available.

(214) 553-1765 Official program page (opens in a new tab)

15 more Dallas rules, not specific to this item
  • Texas Recycles Computers Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. I): requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free takeback recycling for their brand-labeled computers to households. TCEQ maintains an annual manufacturer list.
  • Texas Recycles TVs Program (30 TAC Ch. 328, Subch. J): TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ and meet annual recycling targets. Free household takeback required by law.
  • Texas does NOT have a paint stewardship law — PaintCare does not operate in Texas (as of 2026). All paint disposal must go through municipal HHW programs (HC3 or BOPA events).
  • Dallas City Code Chapter 21: regulates the Department of Sanitation Services and collection of solid waste, recyclable materials, and bulky items within city limits.
  • Texas Administrative Code Title 30 (Environment) Ch. 335: enforces Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards for hazardous waste management including small quantity generator rules for businesses.
  • Dallas Stormwater Management Ordinance (Chapter 49A-4): regulates illicit discharges and improper disposal of pollutants, including HHW, into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
  • Dallas County's HC3 (Home Chemical Collection Center) does NOT accept TVs or major appliances — unlike many other city HHW facilities. For electronics, residents must use city transfer stations or McCommas Bluff Landfill. This split system (HC3 for HHW, transfer stations for electronics) is unique and often confuses first-timers.
  • The Fair Oaks Transfer Station has extremely limited weekday hours (Mon-Fri 7-9 AM only) — literally just a 2-hour morning window. Plan for Saturday (7 AM-4 PM) or use a different station Mon-Fri.
  • Texas has NO PaintCare program — unlike Colorado, California, Oregon, or Washington where paint can be dropped at hardware stores, Dallas residents must take ALL paint (latex and oil-based) to the HC3. No retail paint drop-off is available.
  • Dallas County allows you to keep HHW containers from the HC3 — you bring in your old paint and chemicals and can take home the same type (e.g., bring latex paint, take home latex paint). This is a reuse program for partially-full usable containers.
  • The DFW Metroplex means independent city programs — Plano, Frisco, Irving, Arlington, and Fort Worth each have their own HHW/electronics programs separate from Dallas's. Check your city's rules. This guide covers Dallas proper.
  • Dallas experiences severe weather including tornadoes and hailstorms that generate significant storm-related debris. After major events, the city may set up temporary storm debris drop-off and waive disposal fees.
  • URT Solutions (e-Stewards certified) processes all e-waste from Dallas city facilities, including McCommas Bluff drop-offs. Some electronics that cannot be recycled are processed into fuel for cement kilns (waste-to-energy).
  • Non-Dallas residents CAN use the HC3 but pay significantly more ($95+ minimum waste mgmt fee). The facility primarily serves residents of Dallas and approximately 30 member cities that participate in the Dallas County program.
  • Goodwill Dallas locations participate in Dell Reconnect and accept any brand of computer equipment for free. Combined with HC3 for HHW, this covers most recycling needs for Dallas residents at no cost.

Other Dallas programs

  • Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3)Free HHW drop-off for City of Dallas residents. 11234 Plano Rd, Dallas 75243. Tue 9 AM-7:30 PM; Wed-Thu 8:30 AM-5 PM; 2nd & 4th Sat 9 AM-3 PM. No appointment needed. Accepts batteries (all types), paint (latex and oil-based), automotive fluids, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, household cleaners, computers, and cell phones. Does NOT accept TVs or appliances.214-553-1765
  • BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) Mobile Collection EventsRotating monthly collection events at locations across Dallas County for HHW items. Free for residents of member cities. Check county website for schedule and location.214-553-1765
  • McCommas Bluff Landfill — Electronics Drop-OffFree electronics recycling for City of Dallas residents. 5100 Youngblood Rd, Dallas 75241. Mon-Fri 5 AM-8 PM; Sat 6 AM-4 PM. Accepts computers, monitors, TVs, printers, laptops, tablets, phones, and all e-waste. Processed by URT Solutions (e-Stewards certified).214-670-0977
  • Bachman Transfer Station (Northwest Dallas)Free electronics drop-off for City of Dallas residents. 9500 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas 75220. Mon-Sat 7 AM-4:30 PM. Also accepts recyclables, scrap metal, brush, furniture, tires (limit 6/year).214-670-6161
  • STS Electronic RecyclingR2v3 and NAID AAA certified e-waste recycler. 10000 N Central Expy, Dallas. Free residential drop-off and free business pickup. Serves AT&T, UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, Dallas County. NIST 800-88 compliant data destruction.844-699-2913
  • DFW Electronics RecyclingFree electronics drop-off in Farmers Branch (3238 Towerwood Dr) and Plano (4100 E Park Blvd). Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM. Drive-up service, no appointment needed. Free commercial pickup for 10+ items.
  • United Electronic RecyclingR2v3 certified electronics recycler in Coppell. Hosts DFW Recycles Day free recycling events (Jan & July) when all fees are waived. Regular fees: $5 CRTs, $25 TVs. Also offers free paper shredding during events.
  • Okon Recycling — Solar Panel & Scrap Metal5901 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas. Accepts solar panels, e-scrap, and scrap metal (copper, aluminum, brass, steel). One of few DFW recyclers handling solar panel end-of-life. Call for appointment.214-426-6566
  • Call2Recycle Battery Drop-Off (Dallas-Fort Worth)Free rechargeable and lithium-ion battery drop-off at participating Dallas-area Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Staples, and other retail locations. Do NOT bring damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) batteries. Tape terminals before drop-off.
  • Texas Recycles Computers Program (TCEQ)State law requires computer manufacturers selling in Texas to offer free recycling of their own brand-labeled computer equipment to households. Covers desktops, laptops, tablets, monitors, and peripherals. Manufacturers registered with TCEQ include Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and many more.800-732-9253
  • Texas Recycles TVs Program (TCEQ)TV manufacturers must register with TCEQ and file a recovery plan. Covers most consumer televisions (CRT, LCD, LED, plasma). Households can return brand-labeled TVs to the manufacturer's free takeback program.800-732-9253
  • AutoZone & O'Reilly — Car Battery RecyclingFree lead-acid car battery recycling at Dallas-area AutoZone and O'Reilly Auto Parts locations. Core deposit refunded if buying new. Accepts marine, motorcycle, and lawn tractor batteries.
  • Goodwill Dallas / Dell ReconnectFree computer equipment donation at participating Goodwill Dallas donation centers. Part of the Dell Reconnect program. Working and non-working computers, laptops, monitors, and peripherals accepted.
  • Best Buy (Dallas-Fort Worth locations)Free recycling of most electronics (limit 3 items/household/day). TVs under 50" accepted for $29.99 fee. Accepts computers, monitors, printers, cables, small appliances, video game consoles. Multiple Dallas metro locations including Galleria Dallas, NorthPark Center, and others.
Where this came from: 15 sources

Common questions

About Lithium Ion Battery Disposal here

How much does Lithium Ion Battery disposal cost in this area?

All 3 facilities accept Lithium Ion Battery for free.

Do I need an appointment for Lithium Ion Battery drop-off?

No appointment needed. Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3), Home Depot (Dallas-Fort Worth), Lowe's (Dallas-Fort Worth) accept walk-ins.

Is pickup available for Lithium Ion Battery?

Most facilities require you to drop off Lithium Ion Battery. Check individual listings for special arrangements.

Are there quantity limits for Lithium Ion Battery drop-off?

Some facilities have limits: Dallas County Home Chemical Collection Center (HC3): Residential quantities; 25 gal BOPA items max per household per day; 50 lb battery max; Home Depot (Dallas-Fort Worth): Residential quantities; Lowe's (Dallas-Fort Worth): Residential quantities.

Why do I need to tape battery terminals?

Lithium-ion batteries can short circuit if the positive and negative terminals touch metal (keys, coins, wires). This can cause fires in collection bins and trucks. Use clear tape or electrical tape to cover the terminals.

Can lithium-ion batteries go in the trash?

Never — lithium-ion batteries are classified as hazardous waste. They can cause fires in landfills and recycling facilities. All states require them to be recycled or disposed as hazardous waste.

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