What areas offer curbside battery collection?
If you live in a city included in the list below, you have access to curbside battery collection combined with your glass pickup. Battery recycling is not available in apartment communities. Select your city's link to learn more:
Unincorporated areas of Washington County (this page)
Prepare batteries for collection
1. Tape
Tape the ends of all batteries except alkaline with clear tape. This includes batteries labeled Lithium, Li-ion and rechargeable.
- If you are unsure about the type of battery, tape it to be safe.
- Wrap tape around button and coin-shaped batteries or sandwich a few batteries between two layers of tape, leaving space between each battery and not stacking them.
2. Bag
Place batteries in a 1-quart, zip-sealed clear plastic bag.
3. Bin
Set the clear, zip-sealed bag of batteries on top of any glass in your glass bin.
- Batteries are collected on the same schedule as your glass recycling.
The limit is a single 1-quart bag per pickup.
Batteries accepted
Any battery that fits in a 1-quart, zip-sealed plastic bag, including:
- Rechargeable batteries and single-use batteries
- Batteries that can be easily removed (old cell phones, cameras, etc.)
- Alkaline batteries
- Lithium and lithium-ion batteries
- AAA, AA, C, D, button cell and coin, 6-volt, 9-volt batteries
- Small tool batteries that fit in a sealed 1-quart bag
Batteries not accepted
- Batteries that do not fit in a sealed 1-quart bag.
- Items with embedded batteries (cell phones, electric toothbrushes, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, fitness watches/bands, reading lights, toys, etc.)
- Vape pens/ e-cigarettes
- Battery backup (UPS) units
- Lead-acid batteries (e.g. vehicle batteries)
For batteries that are not accepted, use the Garbage and Recycling Day tool to find out drop-off locations.
Safety tips for battery disposal
Never put damaged batteries in the trash or the curbside recycling program. Take damaged, corroded, bulging, or leaking batteries should be taken to a hazardous waste facility. Never remove embedded or built-in rechargeable batteries. If a battery does not come out easily, take the whole device to a drop-off facility.
- Place damaged batteries in a small plastic bag with absorbent, nonflammable material such as kitty litter, sand or dry rice.
- Put this bag into a metal can, like an old soup can, for extra safety.
- Take to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility for safe disposal.
Why battery recycling matters
- Prevent fires: Batteries can spark and cause fires. Battery-caused fires in garbage trucks and waste processing facilities have increased dramatically in recent years. These fires put workers’ lives in danger and can cost millions of dollars in damage. To prevent fires, separate batteries from other waste and tape the ones most likely to cause fires. Drivers take the bagged batteries out of glass bins and separate them from glass during collection. Learn more about battery fires.
- Avoid harm from toxic chemicals: Remember to handle batteries carefully. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that can hurt people, animals, and the environment if not disposed of properly. When we collect batteries separately, we can keep everyone safe and help reuse the materials inside. Learn more about household batteries.
- Recycle batteries into new things: Batteries contain metal, plastic and other materials that can be used to make new products. Old batteries, stainless steel, and even road asphalt can be recycled into new batteries. This reduces the negative impacts of making new products on our air, water, and climate. Learn more about battery recycling.
How do I reduce the need to buy batteries?
- Seek options that plug in, rather than require a battery (for example, a plug-in mouse rather than a wireless one).
- Turn off your device when not in use to conserve the battery life.
- Store batteries in dry, climate-controlled storage for extended life.
- Do not stockpile batteries since they have a shelf life and may expire before you can use them.
- Remove batteries from rarely used items to prevent corrosion damage.
- Choose rechargeable batteries. Charge the device fully the first time you use it.