Recycle Batteries Right
Discarded rechargeable and single-use batteries, of all shapes and sizes from AAA, AA, C, D, button and coin cell, 9-volt, and Lithium-ion batteries are hazardous waste and must be recycled right to protect our community and the environment.
The first step towards recycling batteries right, is to consider your options for reducing your battery consumption by using rechargeable batteries. Compared to single-use alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries last longer, cost less, and reduce waste and environmental contamination. Rechargeable batteries can be reused up to 1,000 times, so they will quickly pay for themselves, even with the added cost of a wall charger!
In San Mateo County, residents have several options for battery recycling:
Curbside Pick-up Options
If you live in a single-family home, condominium, townhome or duplex, your hauler may offer a household battery pick-up option. Click on your hauler for more information on small, household battery recycling.
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Republic Services of Daly City |
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Local Drop-off Locations (no appointment necessary)
Find convenient recycling options for household single-use and rechargeable batteries using our interactive map on the HHW Most Wanted page.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are made of materials such as cobalt, graphite, and lithium, and are used in many electronic products, including:
- smartphones
- laptops
- cameras
- e-cigarettes
- smoke alarms
- toys
- wireless headphones
- handheld power tools
- small and large appliances
- electric vehicles and electric bicycles
- electrical energy storage systems
Such devices and batteries can also lead to fires or explosions. Lithium-ion batteries contain more power than other batteries and are delicately packaged. When damaged (broken, bent, or crushed), the battery can short out, heat up, and catch on fire.
If batteries or electronic devices that contain Li-ion batteries are disposed of in the trash or the recycling cart with household recyclables, they may become damaged in transport or by the processing and sorting equipment at the waste processing plant, creating a fire hazard. These batteries and devices should NOT go in household garbage or recycling carts.
Call2recycle.org is an excellent starting point for finding Lithium-ion battery recycling centers near you. Recylestuff.org has more information on other household batteries and electronic devices.
You may also find local Li-ion battery recycling centers at the following locations:
| Battery Type | Recycling Location |
| AA or smaller | San Mateo County Environmental Health Services Household Hazardous Waste Program |
| AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, button/coin cell |
Blue Line Transfer Station Alternative Recycling Guide Home Depot (San Mateo, San Carlos, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Daly City, Colma) Redwood Recycling via Bulingame’s Audi Dealership |
| Haulers | See map above |
| Bike Batteries | Call2recycle’s bike battery recycling map |
| Bulk Battery Recycling | *Battery Recyclers of America |
*accepted for a fee
Apartment Battery Recycling
Select apartment complexes offer orange recycling battery buckets provided by waste haulers. Don’t have one? Ask your property manager about getting one where you live.
Make a Free HHW Drop-off Appointment
Make an appointment online or call (650) 372-6200 to drop off batteries and other hazardous waste (HHW) for free. Note: lithium-ion batteries the size of a AA battery or smaller are accepted at our HHW drop-off events.