Jeffrey B. Banke / Shutterstock.com Batteries (Single-Use) Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage & Drains Hazardous Waste Jeffrey B. Banke / Shutterstock.com It is illegal to place batteries in your waste bins. Batteries are considered hazardous waste. They can catch on fire or create a toxic environment for waste workers. If properly collected, battery recyclers can repurpose the metal. Storage tips to avoid short-circuiting and fires. – Place a piece of non-conductive tape or duct-tape on the ends. Do not cover the brand name or chemistry of the battery. – Store batteries in a container that does not conduct electricity (like plastic, cardboard, or glass). City Specific Disposal Options Please check with your city page (residential or commercial) to confirm if additional options are available, such as home collection, drop-off locations, and/or events. (These options vary per city.) Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Your city or county may offer HHW drop-off sites and collection events. – Los Angeles County: S.A.F.E. Collection Centers and events – Riverside County – San Bernardino County – Ventura County Disposal Options For Businesses Hazardous waste cannot be placed in your containers. Schedule a Special Waste Collection by emailing [email protected] or calling Athens’ Customer Service Department at 888-336-6100. Fees may apply. Some HHW drop-off centers may allow drop off by small business generators (check links above). Alternative Ways to Recycle The Battery Solutions Recycling Program Battery Solutions offers battery recycling kits and services to businesses, municipalities, and residences. Their programs aim to help people recycle their batteries properly and conveniently. Learn more. The Big Green Box Battery Recycling Program The Big Green Box is a mail-in battery recycling program for both residences and businesses. Their system is simple: order a box, fill it up with your used batteries, and then ship it back to the company’s EPA-approved recycling center. Learn more. Ways to Reduce Buy Rechargeable Batteries Most single-use batteries can be replaced by rechargeable ones. Consider switching batteries so you can reduce how much hazardous waste you generate. Today’s rechargeable batteries are even made to have the same battery life as single-use ones. Conserve Battery Life Turn off battery-powered devices when not in use and avoid exposing electronics to cold conditions to get as much use possible from batteries. Did You Know? Battery Explodes in Garbage Truck One battery recently caused an explosion in a UK garbage truck, starting a fire and contaminating over six tons of recycling. Because batteries contain chemicals that can ignite, it is important to dispose of them correctly, and not just toss them in with other trash or recycling. Battery Technology Innovations “A battery will do for the electricity supply chain what refrigeration did to our food supply chain,” said MIT electrochemist Donald Sadoway in a Grist article. Sadoway and his peers are developing new battery technology using materials such as molten metal and saltwater. The energy storage capacity of these technologies could lead to a new era for electric cars and the electricity grid.