LiPo Battery Recycling: What You Need to Know
The LiPo Battery Problem
FPV pilots go through LiPo batteries faster than almost any other component. A typical pilot retires 10-20 packs per year due to puffing, reduced capacity, or crash damage. Multiply that across millions of pilots worldwide, and the result is a staggering volume of spent lithium polymer batteries entering the waste stream.
LiPo batteries cannot go in household trash. They cannot go in standard recycling bins. Improper disposal creates serious safety and environmental hazards. Understanding the right way to handle end-of-life LiPo batteries is a responsibility every FPV pilot shares.
Why LiPo Batteries Are Hazardous
Lithium polymer batteries pack enormous energy density into a small package, which is exactly why they are dangerous when damaged or improperly handled:
- Thermal runaway — A damaged or short-circuited LiPo can reach temperatures above 500 degrees Celsius, igniting nearby materials
- Toxic fumes — Burning lithium batteries release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic gases
- Fire persistence — Lithium fires are extremely difficult to extinguish with water and can reignite hours after appearing to be out
- Landfill fires — Waste facilities across the country have experienced fires caused by improperly disposed lithium batteries
How to Safely Handle End-of-Life LiPo Batteries
Before recycling, you need to make your batteries safe for transport:
Discharge to Safe Voltage
Fully charged batteries are more dangerous than discharged ones. Before disposing of any LiPo:
- Use a LiPo discharger or a resistive load (a halogen light bulb works well) to bring each cell below 3.0V
- For batteries that are too damaged to discharge electronically, submerge the battery in saltwater (1 tablespoon of salt per cup of water) for 24-48 hours in a non-metallic container outdoors
- Verify zero voltage with a multimeter before packaging
Inspect for Damage
Batteries with visible damage require extra caution:
- Puffed cells — Handle gently. Do not puncture or compress.
- Torn wrappers — Tape over any exposed foil to prevent short circuits.
- Exposed wires — Insulate all exposed conductors with electrical tape.
- Burn marks or deformation — These batteries should be discharged and recycled immediately.
Package Properly
For shipping LiPo batteries:
- Place each battery in an individual zip-lock bag
- Tape over connector terminals to prevent shorts
- Use a rigid container (ammo cans without sealed lids, LiPo-safe bags)
- Label the package as containing lithium batteries per DOT/IATA guidelines
What Happens During LiPo Recycling
Modern lithium battery recycling facilities use several methods to recover materials:
- Mechanical processing — Batteries are shredded in controlled environments and separated into component materials
- Hydrometallurgical recovery — Chemical processes extract lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese from the electrode materials
- Pyrometallurgical smelting — High-temperature processing recovers metals from battery black mass
Current recovery rates for lithium battery recycling exceed 95% for cobalt and nickel, and continue to improve for lithium itself as technology advances.
Regulations You Should Know
LiPo battery disposal is governed by several layers of regulation:
- Federal (EPA) — The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act classifies certain lithium batteries as hazardous waste. Households are generally exempt, but businesses are not.
- DOT Shipping Rules — Lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 hazardous materials for shipping. Damaged or defective batteries face stricter packaging and labeling requirements.
- State Laws — Many states have enacted extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws requiring battery manufacturers to fund collection and recycling programs. California, New York, and Washington lead with the strictest requirements.
- International — The EU Battery Regulation (effective 2025-2027) sets mandatory recycling efficiency targets and collection rates that affect global supply chains.
Where to Recycle Your FPV LiPo Batteries
You have several options:
- FPV Recycling — We accept LiPo batteries in any condition as part of our drone recycling service. We handle all shipping logistics and compliance.
- Retail Drop-Off — Stores like Best Buy and Home Depot accept small lithium batteries through Call2Recycle partnership programs.
- Municipal Hazardous Waste — Most cities offer periodic hazardous waste collection events that accept lithium batteries.
- Battery Recycling Services — Companies like Call2Recycle and Battery Solutions offer mail-in programs.
The Bottom Line
Every LiPo battery contains recoverable materials worth extracting and hazardous materials worth keeping out of landfills. Responsible disposal takes minimal effort compared to the environmental and safety cost of getting it wrong.
Get a quote for your used batteries and drones — FPV Recycling accepts LiPo batteries in any condition, and we make the process as simple as packing a box.