Lithium battery products should not be placed directly in household waste or ordinary recycling bins. Exposed terminals can contact metal objects and create a short circuit, while damaged cells may leak, overheat, or ignite. The correct disposal method depends on the battery chemistry, condition, product design, and local recycling regulations.
Separate the Battery From the Product
Turn off the equipment and remove the battery when the design allows safe removal. Do not puncture, crush, open, burn, or recharge a primary lithium battery.
Cover the positive and negative terminals separately with nonconductive tape. Place each battery in an individual plastic bag or nonconductive container, then deliver it to an authorized battery collection or recycling facility.
For equipment with a permanently installed battery, send the complete product to an approved electronic waste processor. Do not force the housing open when removal could damage the cell.
Leaking, swollen, deformed, overheated, or physically damaged batteries require specialized handling. Keep them away from combustible materials and contact a qualified hazardous-waste or recycling service before transportation.
Disposal Planning for Battery-Powered Products
Products using a HOLITH CR123A 3V Li-MnO2 battery should include clear polarity, replacement, storage, and disposal instructions. Product developers should also consider whether the battery can be removed without tools and whether terminals remain protected after removal.
During OEM and ODM development, HOLITH evaluates battery size, discharge current, pulse demand, connector configuration, operating temperature, labeling, and export packaging. Manufacturing includes raw material inspection, electrode preparation, automated assembly, sealing, aging, voltage screening, internal resistance testing, and sampled discharge verification.
Direct cooperation with a manufacturer provides access to production records, engineering adjustments, batch traceability, and corrective-action procedures. A trader can coordinate orders but normally has less control over cell sealing, process parameters, and inspection results.
Bulk Supply and Compliance Checklist
Before confirming a project order, check:
- Battery chemistry and rated electrical performance
- Removal and terminal protection design
- Lot numbers and traceability records
- Recycling and disposal markings
- UN 38.3 test summary and safety data sheet
- RoHS and destination-market substance requirements
- Packaging instructions for returned or rejected batteries
- Local producer responsibility and electronic waste rules
IEC 60086-4:2025 defines safety tests for primary lithium batteries under intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse. UN transport regulations require lithium cells and batteries to meet applicable Section 38.3 testing before normal shipment. Waste, damaged, or defective batteries may be subject to stricter packaging and transport controls.
HOLITH operates automated manufacturing and testing equipment and reports annual output exceeding 40 million batteries. Controlled production, stable bulk supply, and customized battery configurations help equipment manufacturers build safer disposal and replacement procedures into finished products.