Lithium Battery Safety

Keep Lithium and Lead Batteries Separate to Stay Safe

Lithium and lead batteries might look similar, but they must be kept separate. These tips will help you safely collect batteries and avoid potential hazards:

Lithium and lead acid comparison infographic

CHECK THE TERMINALS

Lithium battery terminals are usually different from those on lead batteries.

CHECK FOR MARKS AND SYMBOLS

Battery labels help you determine the type of battery (Li = lithium and Pb = lead), and lithium battery labels can be a different color than their lead battery counterparts.

CHECK THE BATTERY WEIGHT

Lithium batteries are much lighter than lead batteries. The average lead auto battery is about 40 pounds and lithium is about 25 pounds.

Download our Recycling Safety Guide.

Watch a video on lithium battery safety from the Battery Council International.

Lithium and other non-conforming batteries include but are not limited to:

Ni-Cd

Ni-MH

Li-Ion

Li-Ion Polymer

LiMN02 (Lithium Manganese Oxide)

LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate)

LiSO2 (Lithium Sulfur Dioxide)

Alkaline

Zinc Carbon

These types of batteries can be recycled or reclaimed; some have value but for others there is a charge to recycle them. If you are not sure of the type of battery you have or how to properly package them to be sent for recycling or reuse, contact Interstate Batteries Recycling at 888-872-4001 or e-mail us at IBrecycling@ibsa.com.

Finding Your Batteries