Single-Use and Rechargeable Batteries

The Vermont Battery Stewardship program offers FREE recycling for single-use and rechargeable batteries at locations across Vermont. Batteries contain valuable metals that can be recovered and their special recycling protects against battery fires. The program is funded by battery manufacturers (link to Vermont's law).

See below for information on (1) drop off locations, (2) battery safety, (3) battery types and identification, (4) setting up a collection box, (5) Vermont's Battery Stewardship Plan and Producer Requirements

1. Battery free drop-off locator:

All single-use and re-chargeable batteries up to 11 pounds each can be collected at collection locations state-wide.

2. Battery Safety

Don’t trash batteries: Drop off at designated collection sites—never in the trash or recycling.
Bag or tape lithium, button cell, and greater than 9V terminals: Use clear bags or packing/duct/electrical tape to prevent fires.
Handle with care: Avoid removing non-replaceable lithium batteries; improper handling can cause fires.

3. Battery Identification Guide

All batteries up to 11 pounds (or up to 300 watts for lithium) can be collected in Call2Recycle free collection boxes. Batteries over 11 pounds (or over 300 watts for lithium) have specific recycling guidance.

4. Setting up a Collection Box

1. Contact Call2Recycle or Mia Roethlein (802-522-5926 or mia.roethlein@vermont.gov) to request a collection box.

2. Watch Call2Recycle's emailed 15-minute collectors and safety training video, sent after signing-up.

3. Send in full boxes and receive replacement boxes.

5. Battery Stewardship Plan and Producer Requirements

Vermont's new battery stewardship law provides free collection and recycling of rechargeable and single-use batteries less than 25 pounds or having a watt-hour rating of 2,000 watt-hours or less, damaged and defective lithium batteries, and regulates battery-containing products that have easily removeable batteries or are packaged with rechargeable or primary batteries.

By March 1, 2025, Producers of covered batteries were required to participate in a stewardship organization who has filed a registration form with VT Agency of Natural Resources (ANR).

VT ANR has received and approved the following battery stewardship organization registration. Please note there is contact information in these registration forms if any producer wishes to contact a stewardship organization regarding participation.

See the timeline and important documents below.

Vermont Battery Stewardship Plan Registration and Documents

Vermont Battery Stewardship Plan Timeline

Effective July 1, 2024: Vermont Primary Battery and Rechargeable Battery Product Stewardship Law

Vermont Primary Battery and Rechargeable Battery Product Stewardship (Act 152 of 2024) Timeline (timeline available here as a PDF):

July 1, 2024 – (10 V.S.A. 7581) Most Definitions take effect: “Battery-containing products” that have easily removeable batteries or are packaged with rechargeable or primary batteries are now regulated.

“Damaged Defective lithium batteries” are also regulated and collection must be provided.

“Covered battery” includes both the previously defined primary batteries—4.4 pounds or less—and now expands to also include rechargeable batteries weighing 25 pounds or less or having a watt-hour rating of 2,000 watt-hours or less. NOTE: *January 1, 2026 – (10 V.S.A. 7581(11)) Definition of Primary Battery Expanded: The definition of Primary battery will now expand to include non-rechargeable batteries weighing 25 pounds or less.

July 1, 2024 – Battery Landfill Disposal Ban Expanded: The existing landfill disposal ban on nickel cadmium and other batteries is expanded to now also apply to rechargeable batteries and primary batteries.

July 1, 2024 - Exemption Repealed for Producers Selling Less Than $2,000 Per Year: Producers must either join a stewardship organization (currently Call2Recycle for the active and approved Vermont Primary Battery Stewardship Plan) or individually register with ANR and submit a Plan as outlined in 10 V.S.A. Chapter 168.

March 1, 2025 – (10 V.S.A. 7583) Battery Stewardship Organization Registration Due: A stewardship organization must now register with ANR representing producers of rechargeable batteries and battery-containing products. ANR must approve or deny battery stewardship registrations. Click here for the Battery Stewardship Organization Registration For m.

June 1, 2025 – (10 V.S.A. 7584) Battery Stewardship Plan Due: Producers of rechargeable batteries and battery-containing products must now submit a stewardship plan either individually or through a stewardship organization to ANR.

July 1, 2025 – (10 V.S.A. 7182(b)) Annual Stewardship Registration: on or before July 1, 2025, and every year thereafter, Stewardship organizations must file a registration form with the Secretary.

Within 90 days of receipt of a Battery Stewardship Plan, ANR shall determine compliance with 7584. Rejected applicants will have 45 days to submit a revised plan. (10 V.S.A. 7586(a)).

6-months after ANR approves Battery Stewardship Collection Plan, Producers must implement the collection plan.

January 1, 2026 – Producer Notification of Sale for rechargeable batteries or battery-containing products (10 V.S.A. 7584(b)(2)): Producers that, after January 1, 2026, seek to offer for sale or offer for promotional purposes a rechargeable battery or battery containing product not previously sold in VT must notify the Secretary prior to sale or offer for promotional purposes a rechargeable battery or battery containing product not covered by an approved stewardship plan.

January 1, 2026 – (10 V.S.A. 7582) Producer Sale Prohibition Updated: Producers of primary batteries weighing more than 4.4 pounds up to 25 pounds, rechargeable batteries, or battery-containing products shall not sell, offer for sale, or deliver to a retailer for sale, a primary, rechargeable, or battery-containing product unless the producer is participating in a battery stewardship organization.

January 1, 2026 – (10 V.S.A. 7587(b)) Retailer Inventory Exemption allows retailers to sell non-participating primary batteries weighing more than 4.4 lbs., rechargeable batteries, and battery containing products purchased prior to January 1, 2026 provided they sell them by January 1, 2027. After January 1, 2027, a full sale prohibition—regardless of inventory purchase date—is in effect for any battery producer brands that are not participating in an ANR approved stewardship plan.

July 1, 2026 – (10 V.S.A. 7587(a)) Retailer Sales Prohibited: Retailers shall not sell into Vermont (both online and brick and mortar sales) primary batteries, rechargeable batteries, or battery-containing products that are not implementing or participating in an ANR approved battery stewardship plan.

July 1, 2026 – ANR Battery Assessment Due: ANR shall complete an assessment of the opportunities, challenges, and feasibility of establishing mandatory end-of-life management programs for the following battery types: hybrid/EVs, battery storage systems, and embedded batteries. ANR must submit the assessment to House Committee on Energy and the Environment and the Senate Natural Resources Committee by July 1, 2026.

January 1, 2027 – Retailer Inventory Exemption Sunsets: Retailers are no longer permitted to sell batteries that are not exempt or otherwise participating in an ANR approved battery stewardship plan.

March 1, 2027 – Annual Report for Rechargeable and Battery Containing Products Due: Annual Reports must now include data on primary and rechargeable batteries and battery containing products.