How to Dispose of a Swollen Cell Phone Battery

Safely throw away a damaged phone battery with this easy guide

Co-authored by Shavo Hacopian

Last Updated: November 30, 2024 Fact Checked

If your cell phone battery has swollen, you may be unsure how to deal with the issue. Luckily, with some careful handling and disposal, you can get rid of swollen batteries safely and fairly easily. Carefully remove the swollen battery and take it to an e-waste center or computer repair store for proper disposal. Take precautions when handling a swollen battery. Swollen batteries are hazardous and should be handled with care.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Disposing of the Battery

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A lithium battery is considered hazardous waste. It should not be discarded in a dumpster or in a garbage bin in your home. A swollen battery is an environmental hazard and dangerous to sanitation workers.^{[1]
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices

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2
Take the battery to a local electronic waste center. Search online for electronic waste centers in your area. These are centers that can safely dispose of hazardous electronic wastes, including swollen batteries.^{[2]
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- If you're struggling to find an e-waste center online, contact your city's hazardous materials disposal center for guidance.
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If you can't find an e-waste center, check with a computer repair or supply store. Apple stores and outlets like Best Buy often encounter faulty materials at work. They may have safe means for disposing swollen batteries at their facilities.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing a Swollen Battery

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1
Remove the battery, if possible. If your battery is removable, carefully take the swollen battery out of your cellphone. Make sure to handle the battery very gently and slowly to avoid puncturing it, which could be a safety risk.^{[3]
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- You may want to wear gloves or goggles for extra precaution when handling the battery.
2
Have the battery removed by professionals if you encounter resistance. If the swollen battery does not come out easily, stop what you are doing. Take your cellphone to a local repair shop or electronics supply store, such as Best Buy, to have it removed by professionals. Trying to force out a swollen battery that's stuck in an electronic device can cause the battery to become punctured, which is a serious safety hazard.^{[4]
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- You should also take the battery to professionals if it is not removable or if you don't know how to remove it.
As soon as you remove the battery, place it in a cool container and cover it. This will keep the battery from puncturing as you transport it to the proper disposal center.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Safety Precautions

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If you puncture your battery while removing it, or notice any discharge that may indicate a puncture, call professionals right away. Call somewhere like a Best Buy or Apple Store for guidance. Punctured batteries can explode and cause fire hazards, so they should not be handled without professional help.^{[5]
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If you notice your battery is swollen, unplug your device if it's plugged in and immediately remove the battery. You should never charge a swollen battery as this could result in an explosion.^{[6]
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Many areas have electronic recycling centers that accept old electronic supplies for recycling. While you may prefer to recycle your waste, unfortunately swollen batteries are not safe to recycle as they cannot be reused.^{[7]
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Be extremely cautious when handling swollen batteries. Never handle batteries with sharp objects, as you risk puncturing the batteries. Never try to force a swollen battery out of a device if it's stuck. If you're unsure how to remove a swollen battery, err on the side of caution and seek help from a professional.