Knowing how to dispose of swollen battery packs starts with safety. Stop using and charging the battery, and keep it away from anything that can burn. Don't throw it away or put it in a store drop-off box. We take a battery still inside its device. A loose one goes to the City's Miramar Recycling Center by appointment.
This guide covers what to do first, what not to do, and who will take it. It sticks to advice from the US EPA, the US Fire Administration, the City of San Diego and The Battery Network. For healthy batteries, see our guide on how to dispose of batteries in California.
What to do with a swollen battery right now
Work through these steps calmly. None of them need special equipment.
- Stop using it. That includes charging. The US Fire Administration says to stop using a lithium-ion battery that changes shape. Unplug the charger.
- If it's still inside a device, leave it there. You don't need to take it out. We accept a swollen battery that's still installed in its device, so bring the whole thing.
- If it's loose, bag it on its own. The City of San Diego says to put a damaged or leaking battery in a plastic bag, away from other batteries. Wear gloves, and wash your hands afterward.
- Isolate it. The Battery Network advises placing a damaged battery in a non-flammable material such as sand or cat litter.
- Keep it away from anything that can burn. Store it at room temperature, out of direct sun and never in a hot car, as the USFA advises for batteries.
- Keep it out of every bin and box. The Battery Network says a damaged battery should never go in the trash, in water, in a home recycling bin or in its collection boxes.
- Contact the manufacturer. Both the EPA and The Battery Network say to contact the battery or device maker about a damaged battery, especially if it has been recalled.
Is a swollen battery dangerous?
It can be, so handle it with care. A change in shape is one of the warning signs the USFA lists for lithium-ion batteries, and its advice is to stop using a battery that shows one.
The EPA says damaged, defective or recalled lithium-ion batteries are more likely to catch fire during transportation. That's the reason drop-off boxes and many collection sites refuse them, and the reason a swollen battery shouldn't ride loose in a bag of other batteries.
None of this means you need to panic. To dispose of a swollen battery safely, follow the steps above, keep it isolated, and get it to the right place soon rather than storing it for months.
How to tell a battery is failing
The USFA says to stop using a lithium-ion battery if you notice any of these:
- An odor
- A change in color
- Too much heat
- A change in shape
- Leaking
- Odd noises
The Battery Network adds bulging, a cracked or warped case, burn marks, water damage and overheating to its list of damage signs.
Inside a device, swelling often shows up as a change in the device itself. For example, a laptop no longer sits flat on the desk, the trackpad starts lifting, or a phone screen begins separating from the frame.
Swollen laptop or phone battery, what to do
If your laptop battery is bulging, stop using the laptop and unplug the charger. Contact the manufacturer, as the EPA advises for damaged lithium-ion batteries. Ask whether the model is under recall, and check the recall list at CPSC.gov too.
Then decide what to do with the device. A swollen battery still installed inside a laptop, phone or tablet is something we accept. Bring the whole device to our Point Loma, Chula Vista or San Marcos recycling center. Call us at (619) 889-1305 before you come so staff know to expect it.
Our technicians remove the battery under controlled conditions. We also wipe and destroy any device that stores data by default, so you don't need to worry about what's still on the drive.
Should I take the battery out myself?
No. Leave it where it is. Once a swollen battery is out of the device, it becomes a loose damaged battery, and we can't accept those. Opening the case also means handling the battery more than you need to. Instead, bring the device whole and let us deal with it.
Swollen power banks, tool packs and other loose batteries
A power bank, a cordless tool pack, a camera battery or a phone battery that's already out of the phone all count as loose batteries. Follow the same steps. Stop using it, bag it alone, isolate it in sand or cat litter and keep it away from anything that can burn.
We can't accept these at any of our locations when they're swollen, leaking or damaged. They follow the loose battery route in the next section.
E-bike and e-scooter packs are much bigger batteries. If one is swollen, cracked or has been in a crash, don't load it into your car to bring to us. Contact the manufacturer first, as the EPA advises for damaged batteries.
Where to dispose of a swollen battery in San Diego County
Most places that take batteries won't take a loose swollen one. This table shows where it can and can't go.
| Option | Takes a loose swollen battery? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Trash or recycling cart | No | All batteries are banned from household trash in California, according to CalRecycle. |
| Store or Battery Network drop-off box | No | Battery Network collection boxes refuse damaged batteries. |
| Dream E-Waste recycling centers (Point Loma, Chula Vista, San Marcos) | No, but a swollen battery still inside a device is accepted | Bring the whole device. Call (619) 889-1305 first. |
| Dream drop-off locations (Miramar, Kearny Mesa, Oceanside) | No | These take electronics only. Take a device with a swollen battery to a recycling center instead. |
| City of San Diego Miramar Recycling Center | This is where we send loose damaged batteries | Book an appointment through the City website before you go. |
| The battery or device manufacturer | Ask them | Contact them, especially if the product has been recalled. |
To dispose of a loose swollen battery, or one that's leaking or damaged, book an appointment at the City of San Diego Miramar Recycling Center through the City website. Check the City's accepted list when you book, and follow its instructions for packing the battery.
If you live outside the city of San Diego, or the City can't take your battery, the City points people to WasteFreeSD.org for other drop-off options across the county.
Healthy batteries are a much simpler trip. You can recycle undamaged batteries with us at our three recycling centers, with no appointment needed.
How to lower the risk next time
Official guidance focuses on how batteries are stored and on spotting trouble early. The USFA's advice is simple to follow.
- Store batteries and devices at room temperature when you can.
- Keep them away from anything that can burn.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight and out of hot cars.
- Stop using a battery as soon as you notice any of the warning signs above.
It also helps to check for recalls when you buy a new device or charger. CPSC.gov lists recalled products, including batteries and power banks.
Next step
To dispose of a swollen battery that's still inside a device, call us first and then bring the whole device to a recycling center. If it's loose, bag it, isolate it and book a City appointment. You can also sort and tape the other batteries in the drawer and drop them off with us on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
Can a swollen battery catch fire?
Yes, it can. The EPA says damaged, defective or recalled lithium-ion batteries are more likely to catch fire during transportation, and the USFA lists a change in shape as a sign to stop using a battery. Stop using and charging it, keep it away from anything that can burn, and get it to the right place soon.
Can I put a swollen battery in the trash?
No. All batteries are banned from household trash in California, according to CalRecycle, and The Battery Network says a damaged battery should never go in the trash or a home recycling bin. A garbage truck can crush a swollen battery and start a fire. Keep it isolated at home until you can take it to the right place.
Can I put a swollen battery in a zip-lock bag?
Yes, as a first step. The City of San Diego says to place a damaged or leaking battery in a plastic bag, away from other batteries, and to wear gloves. The Battery Network says to place a damaged battery in a non-flammable material such as sand or cat litter. Don't put the bag in a drop-off box.
Does Dream E-Waste take swollen batteries?
Only when the battery is still inside its device. We accept a laptop, phone or tablet with a swollen battery installed at our Point Loma, Chula Vista and San Marcos recycling centers. Call us first. We don't accept loose swollen, leaking or damaged batteries. Those go to the City of San Diego Miramar Recycling Center, by appointment.
Can I bring a swollen battery to a store drop-off box?
No. The Battery Network says damaged batteries can't go in its collection boxes. A swollen battery packed in with other batteries is exactly what those boxes are meant to avoid. Bag and isolate it, then book a City appointment or contact the manufacturer.
