How to Safely Discharge and Dispose of LiPo Batteries

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Get rid of RC and drone batteries properly with our complete guide
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If your lithium polymer (LiPo) battery isn’t holding a charge or looks damaged, then it’s time to get rid of it. And since LiPo batteries are a fire hazard if you just toss them in the trash, it’s important to fully discharge them before taking them to a safe collection site. Keep reading to learn where you can safely dispose of LiPo batteries and how to drain their power beforehand.

Things You Should Know

  • Connect undamaged LiPo batteries to a charger and set it to fully discharge to 0 volts.
  • Take your damaged or undamaged LiPo batteries to a professional disposal service to safely get rid of them.
  • Use Call2Recycle to find a dropoff box or RC hobby store that accepts discharged, undamaged batteries.
1

Discharge undamaged LiPo batteries.

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  1. Plug the battery into the charger and place them in a fireproof container . Turn the charger on to the “discharge” setting. Set the voltage to 0, and change the discharge rate to the one printed on the battery. Then, just allow the battery to drain slowly until it has no power. [1]
    • Always discharge your LiPo battery away from other flammable materials to prevent any risk of fire.
    • If your charger has a discharge voltage limit or doesn’t have a setting at all, contact a professional battery disposal service to find out the next steps.
    • Avoid using DIY methods to discharge your battery, such as connecting it to a light bulb, soaking it in saltwater, or physically destroying it. These methods may not discharge the battery to a safe level and could be dangerous.
    • If your LiPo battery is damaged, swollen, or punctured, stop using it immediately and avoid discharging it because it’s more likely to start a fire. [2]
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2

Take your battery to a professional disposal service.

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  1. Search online for a professional service near you that accepts LiPo batteries. Let them know if your battery is damaged or if you were unable to discharge it so they’re able to safely dispose of it. [3]
    • Professional disposal services may charge a small fee for discharging and getting rid of your battery, so contact them ahead of time to ask about prices.
3

Bring the battery to a dedicated recycling dropoff.

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  1. Use a website like Call2Recycle to locate a dropoff location for LiPo batteries near you. [4] Place your discharged LiPo battery in a LiPo battery bag and take it to the collection box at the dropoff site. [5]
    • While some hobbyists claim that throwing discharged LiPo batteries into your trash is safe, hazardous materials could still leak out when the trash is compacted. Using a professional recycling service ensures they’re safely taken apart and disposed of.
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4

Ask RC hobby shops if they take old LiPo batteries.

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  1. Reach out to hobby shops that specialize in RC vehicles and electronics stores to see if they accept LiPo batteries. They may also be able to give you advice on how to properly discharge and dispose of batteries if they don’t accept drop-offs. [6]
    • Hobby stores may charge a small fee for getting rid of your battery.

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      Warnings

      • If a LiPo battery looks swollen, punctured, or damaged in any way, stop using it right away because it could catch on fire. Keep the battery in a fireproof container and take it to a professional disposal service. [7]
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      • Never try to pierce or puncture the battery to discharge it because it could cause a fire. [8]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://ehrs.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/2017-12/Lithium%20Battery%20Safety%20Program%202017-1.pdf
      2. ↑ https://traxxas.com/sites/default/files/KC2238-R00-LiPo-battery-fold-out-large.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.ufinebattery.com/blog/how-to-dispose-of-swollen-lithium-polymer-battery/
      4. ↑ https://power.tenergy.com/lipo-safety-warnings/
      5. ↑ https://www.theparkpilot.org/lipo-battery-basics
      6. ↑ https://www.droneblog.com/dispose-lipo-drone-batteries/
      7. ↑ https://traxxas.com/sites/default/files/KC2238-R00-LiPo-battery-fold-out-large.pdf
      8. ↑ https://commonsenserc.com/product_instructions/lectronpro_instructions_v7_august_2017.pdf

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