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Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. This concept often includes the recovery of energy from waste materials. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the properties it had in its original state.[1] It is an alternative to "conventional" waste disposal that can save material and help lower greenhouse gas emissions. It can also prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reducing energy use, air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling).

Recycling in the context of batteries is related to the recovery of various material components of batteries. Most types of batteries can be recycled. However, some batteries are recycled more readily than others, such as lead–acid automotive batteries (nearly 90% are recycled) and button cells (because of the value and toxicity of their chemicals). Rechargeable nickel–cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel–zinc (Ni-Zn), can also be recycled. For lithium-ion batteries, the recovery of transition metals such as nickel and cobalt is motivated by their high value and potential social and environmental harm. Other components like lithium from the electrolyte and metal current collectors (aluminum, copper) are also targets of recycling. Recycling of batteries is also motivated by environmental and safety policy mandates set by governmental and regulatory bodies.