How to recycle batteries.

Recycling Batteries

Although this information is relevant for Calfornia, the battery facts are universal. Please look for your local Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility (HHWTF) near you.

Did you know…

Americans purchase over 3 billion batteries every year to power radios, toys, cellular phones, watches, laptop computers, portable power tools and other devices.

A car battery contains 18 pounds of lead and one pound of sulfuric acid.

In 2001 at least 5 million batteries were sold in California, of these, 99.45% were not recycled!

Some batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel – when disposed of in municipal landfills and trash incinerators can disperse significant amounts of heavy metals and other toxic substances into the air and water. California has designated all batteries as hazardous waste and require that they be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste collection facility. This includes all alkaline sizes AAA, AA, C, D, 9 Volt, and all other batteries, both rechargeable and single use.

To ensure that we're not slowly poisoning ourselves, it's important that we do a good job of recycling batteries. Another way to reduce their number in our waste stream is to purchase rechargeable batteries. Over its useful life, each rechargeable battery may substitute for hundreds of single-use ones.

The Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility (HHWTF)

San Diego

Santa Cruz

Santa Monica

Arizona Disposal Facilities