Take Charge Florida

Batteries are everyday essentials.

Often overlooked, however, is the simple fact that batteries can be a hidden household hazard.

If improperly installed, charged, stored, used, damaged, or disposed of, some batteries can catch fire or explode, putting your family and others at risk. If swallowed, button and coin batteries can cause injuries and death.

Also often overlooked are the recycling opportunities for batteries - particularly rechargeable batteries including the most popular rechargeable - lithium-ion batteries.

To address these issues, Florida Department of Environmental Protection has adopted with permission from South Carolina's DHEC -  the "Take Charge! Be Battery Smart" outreach campaign to raise awareness of both the safety concerns and the recycling opportunities that are available and growing in number.

The Take Charge Florida campaign offers essential information that you need to know to keep yourself, your family, and your home safe as well as protect other people, property, and the environment. 

The campaign resources are available now for you to download below: 

Be Battery Smart Poster

Battery Smart Guidebook

Battery Smart Booklet

Coin Battery Poster

Everyday Battery Smart

Battery Information Sheet

Lithium Ion Battery Safe

Lithium Ion Battery Smart

Small Battery Safe

Where to Properly Recycle Batteries

Many Florida counties have household hazardous material collection programs and/or single-day collection events that accept certain types of batteries – both single-use and rechargeable. To determine if your community has access to a program or event, reference our HHW Coordinator Listing.

Rechargeable batteries can be properly recycled at major retailers (e.g., Lowe’s, Best Buy, The Home Depot) that participate in the Call2Recycle program. The program is free to residents and accepts Lithium Ion (Li-ion), Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), and Nickle Zinc (Ni-ZN) as well as small lead-acid batteries. To find a recycling location near you visit Call2Recycle.

Single-use batteries weighing up to 11 pounds including AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, button cells and small lead-acid batteries can be recycled through the Call2Recycle program at limited locations of participating retailers.

Rechargeable batteries can be properly recycled at Batteries Plus retail locations. To find a recycling location, visit Batteries Plus.