I don’t believe there is anyone currently recycling lithium ion batteries in the US, other than the DOE’s 20 million dollar test facility. It’s much cheaper to incinerate them, or put them in the landfill for now. Lithium ion cells contain no lithium metal, rather a lithium salt (LiPF6 and LiBF4) in the electrolyte.
You can kill lithium ion cells by putting them in a bucket of salt water (brine) for a day or two outdoors. Don’t confuse lithium batteries with lithium ion. Lithium batteries contain lithium metal and will react with water and create hydrogen. And we all know what happened to the Hindenburg.
” According to the U.S. government, lithium ion batteries aren’t an environmental hazard. “Lithium Ion batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste and are safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream,” says Kate Krebs at the National Recycling Coalition. While other types of batteries include toxic metals such as cadmium, the metals in lithium ion batteries - cobalt, copper, nickel and iron - are considered safe for landfills or incinerators (Interestingly enough, lithium ion batteries contain an ionic form of lithium but no lithium metal) ”
Oh please! What kind of stupid is putting any battery in a pocket? They had the paranoia right down to the woman's voice!
Don't buy into the neurosis. You won't be in the high power flashlight hobby if you do.
I personally: don't leave chargers (or much of anything else electrical) unattended. 2. don't overdischarge. 3. for multi cell lights keep the batteries married for that light. I'v taken to marking them with the light and month of purchase. 4) mechanically lock out my lights when unattended or (depends on switch) when it goes in a pocket, since I don't want burntballs!
And last: Don't buy junk. Stick with recommendations here and buy good cells. If you buy from a reputable U.S. (hint) dealer he'll recommend the best batteries for the particular light. Almost everyone will agree that the Samsung 30q's are good, and they are. My lights definitely fly higher, faster and farther with them.
Hope this helps.
People do put batteries in their pockets. That’s why LG is getting sued. All of them I know about have been vapers. Sometimes people think things that aren’t true, like the presence of a protection circuit makes it safe to put loose batteries in a pocket (anything scratching through the wrapper bypasses the protection circuit).
Unless you don’t get out much you would see all kinds of stupid. 
I imagine one doesn’t have to travel more than 5 minutes away from the house before you spot stupid. It’s easy to spot. They usually have a existing injury or are about to get one. Walmart seem to be the club they all belong to.
And when something bad does happen, they can’t remember the phone number for the national emergency hotline (911).
Had it happen, “please call 911”. “what’s the number, what’s the number” speaking in a frantic voice. 
:person_facepalming:
How to dispose of them? Give them away to a BLFer in need. 
Sometimes I do ....
For pocket carry, but still no keys in the same pocket 
Or how about these?
Then you can put your batteries and your keys in the same pocket.
Old news…
Methinks OP forgot to engage SARCASM FONT
slmjim
Looks like it is back to candles and carbide
Those clear plastic cell holders pop open too easy and are not water proof. I have some Delrin cell carriers with a screw on top that are virtually water proof, countycomm.com carries them. I’ve also made my own from clear polycarbonate. This is the ONLY way a Li-ion cell goes in my pocket, seriously protected. (I do have a spare 10440 on my keychain, in a custom made Titanium and Copper battery bunker made by Photon Fanatic… it is for the Texas Poker I’ve had around my neck for almost 7 years, also by Photon Fanatic, and yes, the battery bunker has had a live cell in it on my keychain in my pocket for 7 years as well)
trade house fires and acetylene gas explosions for venting with flame.
This is not a problem for me. All of my flashlight batteries are made from a couple of coins and a fresh lemon. 
Tesla——-are they really powered by lion? 
carry a spare battery in a nifty protected housing called ....another flashlight . I know it's an outrageous thought !!
If you're careless, lazy and foolish you deserve a good pocket fire to remind you that you're screwing up.
Nothing teaches like experience .
yes i guess… back to carbide and safe acetylene explosive gas, burning wax making fire for light… and burning oil for light fire… we have to toss all our LiIon cells because they are BAD.