I've done some google searching and as much as I can tell EPA doesn't classify lithium ion batteries as hazardous materials and home use can just dispose of them in the trash (I guess commercially in larger quantities the regs are a little different). Is that sound generally correct? When you guys flatten one of these and they can no longer be charged back just toss them out in the regular trash?
The chemicals contained within are not considered toxic to the environment. (We'll eventually see how that turns out.)
Many large home stores have a recycle center for free. Why waste the Li, it is rare and almost the sole source is South America.