Battery Recycling Program
Residential Household Battery Recycling
Printable Documents- Curbside Battery Collection Postcard
- Apartment Battery Collection Postcard
- Apartment Battery Collection Poster
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Batteries contain toxic metals and it is illegal to dispose of them in the
trash. San Francisco residents have three different programs to accommodate the proper collection and recycling for household batteries. Our programs accept most types of household batteries for recycling (i.e. dry cell, alkaline, Ni-Cad, button, lithium, and rechargeable batteries from laptops and cell phones).
Lead acid, wet cell, and automotive type batteries are not accepted.
Important Battery Recycling Safety Reminder
For safety, please tape over the contact points of each lithium battery. Look for "Lithium" or "Li" (most button and rechargeable batteries).
Lead acid, wet cell, and automotive type batteries are not accepted.
Important Battery Recycling Safety Reminder
For safety, please tape over the contact points of each lithium battery. Look for "Lithium" or "Li" (most button and rechargeable batteries).
1. Residential Curbside Battery Collection
Available to residential customers
Put loose household batteries into a clear plastic bag and seal. Small zip-type bags work best. For safety, please tape over the contact points of each lithium battery.
Place the sealed bag on top of your black cart lid and set it out on your collection day. Do not place the battery bags inside any of your collection carts.2. Apartment Battery Bucket Collection
Available to apartmentsPut loose household batteries into the battery recycling bucket located in your building. For safety, please tape over the contact points of each lithium battery.When the bucket is full, anyone can call the number on the bucket for a free pickup.
Apartment building managers can order a battery bucket by calling Recology Sunset Scavenger 415.330.1300 or Recology Golden Gate 415.626.4000. We will deliver the battery recycling bucket, an informational poster to hang up, and postcards for you to distribute to your tenants notifying them of the new program.
3. Battery Drop Off
Available to San Francisco residents
Residents of San Francisco can drop off household batteries at all S.F. Walgreens, most hardware stores, the SF Dump and many other locations throughout the city. To find your closest drop-off locations, visit SFEnvironment.org/ecofinder.
For safety, please tape over the contact points of each lithium battery.
Residents of San Francisco can drop off household batteries at all S.F. Walgreens, most hardware stores, the SF Dump and many other locations throughout the city. To find your closest drop-off locations, visit SFEnvironment.org/ecofinder.
For safety, please tape over the contact points of each lithium battery.
What Happens to Alkaline Batteries?Batteries collected for recycling are brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at Recology San Francisco, sorted, and shipped to companies that specialize in battery recycling. Battery collection and recycling is paid for by S.F. refuse rates.
We ship alkaline batteries to AERC in Hayward, CA. AERC is a licensed facility that recycles universal waste (electronics, fluorescent lamps, batteries).