The short answer: It depends on the battery. Car & truck batteries are recycled free at any auto-parts store — & you usually get a small credit back. Rechargeable & lithium batteries (power tools, laptops, phones) go to a battery drop-off or household hazardous waste center, never the trash, because they can catch fire. Single-use alkaline AA/AAA batteries are non-hazardous & can go in normal trash in Texas, though recycling is better where it’s offered.
Car & truck batteries (lead-acid)
Lead-acid vehicle batteries are the easiest. Every major auto-parts chain recycles them free, & some give you a gift card or store credit for bringing one in. O’Reilly Auto Parts, for example, recycles car, marine, lawnmower & motorcycle batteries free & advertises a $10 gift card for an eligible undamaged battery that isn’t a core return.
Source: O’Reilly Auto Parts, “Free Oil, Fluid & Battery Recycling” — free battery recycling, with a $10 gift card offer for an eligible undamaged battery. Verified June 2026. oreillyauto.com
When you buy a new battery you’ll usually pay a refundable “core charge” (commonly around $10–$20) that you get back when you return the old one — another reason never to bin it. A leaking or damaged battery should go to a hazardous waste facility instead.
Rechargeable & lithium batteries
Lithium-ion & rechargeable batteries (in phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, vapes) must not go in household trash or curbside recycling — crushed in a truck or at a facility, they can spark fires. Take them to:
- Battery drop-off bins at many hardware & electronics stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy & similar often host Call2Recycle bins).
- Your city’s household hazardous waste center or a collection event.
Tip: put clear tape over the terminals of lithium & 9-volt batteries before transport so they can’t short out.
Household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)
Modern single-use alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury & are classed as non-hazardous, so in Texas they’re legal to throw in regular household trash. Recycling is still the greener choice where a drop-off exists, but you won’t break any rule binning them. (California is the main state that bans this — Texas doesn’t.)
Quick reference
| Battery type | Where it goes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Car / truck (lead-acid) | Any auto-parts store | Free (may earn credit) |
| Rechargeable / lithium-ion | Store drop-off bin or HHW center | Free |
| Alkaline AA/AAA etc. | Regular trash (or recycle if offered) | Free |
| Damaged / leaking | Household hazardous waste center | Free for residents |
Related guides
- How to dispose of motor oil in Texas
- Household hazardous waste in Texas
- TV & electronics disposal in Texas
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