Battery Recycling

HOUSEHOLD BATTERY RECYCLING

Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contain within. Batteries are potentially a valuable source of recyclable metal.

All batteries in California that are intended for disposal must be recycled, or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, a universal waste handler (e.g., storage facility or broker), or an authorized recycling facility.

Household Batteries includes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, and all others, both rechargeable and single use

Environmental Hazards

Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of.

Battery Recycling Locations

• Delleker Transfer Station
• East Quincy Transfer Station
• Greenville Transfer Station
• Chester Transfer Station
• Graeagle Transfer Station

Safety Procedures

Department of Transportation (DOT) rules require new precautions when preparing batteries for transport. All batteries must have the ends or terminals taped with clear tape, or must be placed in individual plastic bags, in order to reduce fire hazards from the possibility of batteries short circuiting when rubbing against each other in transit.

DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) investigated two parcel carrier delivery truck fires in 2008 due to the transportation of batteries for recycling. One of these incidents occurred on July, 2008.

Other locations for rechargeable batteries:

Take the rechargeable batteries to any of the participating retailers. In the U.S.: Alltel, Batteries Plus, Best Buy, Black & Decker, Cingular Wireless, The Home Depot, Milwaukee Electric Tool, Orchard Supply, Radio Shack, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Wal-Mart.