Battery Recycling in Eau Claire, WI
Batteries go free to First Choice Computer Recycling on Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire County's recycling partner.
See all 4 optionsChecked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries before transport.
- Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and tell the operator.
- Ask which battery types are accepted; car batteries often go somewhere different.
Wisconsin rules
- Lead-acid batteries are banned from Wisconsin landfills and solid waste incinerators. Source: Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab)
- Alkaline batteries may go in the trash, though some retailers and recycling locations accept them. Source: Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab)
More Wisconsin rules (7)
- Households are not required to recycle batteries, but non-alkaline batteries in trash or recycling carts are a fire risk. Source: Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab)
- Never put batteries or electronics in curbside recycling carts or bins. Source: Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab)
- From January 1, 2028, covered (portable and medium-format) batteries may be disposed of only at a collection site or event run under an approved battery stewardship plan, unless regulated as hazardous waste. Source: Wis. Stat. 287.18 Lead acid battery collection (opens in new tab)
- A covered battery is a portable or medium-format battery that can be easily removed with common household tools; lead acid batteries under s. 287.18 are excluded. Source: Wis. Stat. 287.175 Battery collection and recycling (opens in new tab)
- Battery stewardship organizations must submit plans to DNR by January 1, 2027; no statewide stewardship collection network was found operating yet. Source: Wis. Stat. 287.175 Battery collection and recycling (opens in new tab)
- Approved battery stewardship plans must collect covered batteries at no cost, of any brand, on a continuous and accessible basis. Source: Wis. Stat. 287.175 Battery collection and recycling (opens in new tab)
- Producers, retailers and stewardship organizations may not charge consumers a point-of-sale fee to pay for the battery stewardship plan. Source: Wis. Stat. 287.175 Battery collection and recycling (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (23)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Specialty Recycling Programs (opens in new tab) · Eau Claire County
- Eau Claire County partners with First Choice Computer Recycling for year-round electronics and battery recycling for county residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Batteries and electronics can be taken to First Choice Computer Recycling for free year-round. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Wisconsin DNR: Proper handling of used batteries (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Lead-acid batteries are banned from Wisconsin landfills and solid waste incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Lead-acid ("automotive type") batteries are those in cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and other vehicles and devices with internal combustion engines. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Consumers may bring lead-acid batteries for recycling to any Wisconsin retailer that sells them, during normal business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Return is free when the customer buys a new battery and brings in a used one. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Without buying a new battery, customers may be charged up to $3 per used battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Retailers must charge a $10 deposit on automotive replacement batteries and refund it in money when the customer returns a used battery to the same retailer. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The retailer may ask for proof of purchase; the trade-in is not a product return and has no time limit. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Alkaline batteries may go in the trash, though some retailers and recycling locations accept them. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Households are not required to recycle batteries, but non-alkaline batteries in trash or recycling carts are a fire risk. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Never put batteries or electronics in curbside recycling carts or bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
- When storing batteries for recycling, tape the ends with clear packing tape or bag each battery separately. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DNR points residents to The Battery Network (1-877-2-RECYCLE): many retailers in this nonprofit program have in-store collection boxes for rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents can also contact their local recycling program about battery collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The E-Cycle Wisconsin site list also shows some rechargeable battery collection locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Wis. Stat. 287.18 Lead acid battery collection (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
- For batteries brought in without a trade-in purchase, a retailer need not accept more than 2 per person per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The deposit rule covers automotive-type batteries such as car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, snowmobile, golf cart, tractor, lawn and garden, marine and other engine-starting batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- From January 1, 2028, covered (portable and medium-format) batteries may be disposed of only at a collection site or event run under an approved battery stewardship plan, unless regulated as hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Wis. Stat. 287.175 Battery collection and recycling (opens in new tab) · Wisconsin Legislature (Wisconsin Statutes)
- Battery stewardship organizations must submit plans to DNR by January 1, 2027; no statewide stewardship collection network was found operating yet. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Approved battery stewardship plans must collect covered batteries at no cost, of any brand, on a continuous and accessible basis. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Producers, retailers and stewardship organizations may not charge consumers a point-of-sale fee to pay for the battery stewardship plan. Checked October 26, 2026.
- A covered battery is a portable or medium-format battery that can be easily removed with common household tools; lead acid batteries under s. 287.18 are excluded. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.
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