Where are batteries disposed of in California? This is an excellent question that needs to be carefully answered. Keep reading this article; you will get the answers you seek.

We’re going to be talking about California battery disposal. A few things to keep an eye on are the efficient ways of disposing such hazardous items.

California Battery Disposal

A battery is one item that needs proper disposal. The metals and chemical materials they contain are considered hazardous.

We refer to mercury, lead, acid, and nickel. Allowing these toxic substances to float in lakes, streams, and landfills will endanger marine life, wildlife, and humans.

Throwing batteries in curbside bins isn’t also accepted. They are an absolute disaster in waiting. When transported to dumps or recycling facilities, it may cause fire outbreaks.

For these reasons, California, among other states in the US, doesn’t allow the disposal of batteries in the trash.

  • Do You Know the Kind of Battery to Dispose of?

No battery’s above disposal in California, whether rechargeable or single-use. All of them are considered hazardous and termed universal waste.

Therefore, they must all be disposed of. This includes alkaline (AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V), button cell, lithium/lithium-ion (AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V), silver oxide, lead-acid, Ni-Cd, Ni-Li batteries, and more.

  • Potential Battery Hazards

The harm posed by the damaged battery is numerous.

Remember, we said these items hold chemicals that can pollute the lakes, streams, and landfills. Other than this, these chemicals can also cause burns or endanger your eyes and skin.

How Batteries are Disposed of in California

In California, batteries aren’t single-handedly disposed of by individuals. This is due to the toxic contents they carry, as highlighted above.

If you have such an item to get rid of, you must take it to a licensed facility that handles trash. Alternatively, you can take it to a household hazardous waste disposal site or approved recycling plant.

Apart from batteries, you can also dispose of products representing alternative energies. In other words, mechanical powered products.

Programs that Accepts Batteries for Disposal in California

Several establishments across California accepts waste battery for proper disposal. Tri-Cities Disposal and Recycling, Waste Management, Public Service, and more.

These facilities accept damaged residential batteries for free. After collection, they place them in quart-size zipper bags and place the load on your blue reprocessing cart.

The facilities mentioned above accept damaged batteries from locations such as Gonzales, Green Field, King City, and more.

Other places you can consult for your battery disposal include Call2Recycle, Earth911, CalRecycle, Batter Solutions, Retriev Technologies Inc., Kinsbursky Brothers Inc., and more.

  • The Big Green Box

Although California doesn’t sponsor Big Green Box, you can count on them for battery disposal.

It’s typically a national program that offers companies, municipalities, and consumers, a cost-effective, flexible, and easy way to recycle batteries and other e-devices.

You’ll need to buy the “Big Green Box” to dispose of your battery with them. For now, we don’t know how much it costs. But if you can get one, they will take care of all your shipping, handling, and recycling fees.

The box is said to contain an UN-approved pre-labeled and pre-shipping fee.

Battery Disposal Regulations in California

It is imperative you know the laws regarding battery disposal in California.

That’s because improper disposal of this item in this state attracts a fine. By following the slated regulation, you can save yourself from trouble and equally promote the environment’s safety.

The state’s law states that all consumers should recycle all single-use batteries. However, you can safely dispose of your single-use household battery in other states.

  • What About the Universal Waste Rule of Battery Regulation

The Universal Waste Rule Created also encourages the safe recycling and disposal of harmful waste in all the country’s states, including batteries.

Under this rule, you shouldn’t throw batteries with Nickel-Cadmium and lead acid away. Instead, it would be best if you recycled them.

Furthermore, businesses must also follow the regulations for disposal.

Does and Don’ts for Battery Disposal in California

When getting rid of your damaged battery, there’re certain things you should do. At the same time, there’re certain things you shouldn’t do. Let’s clear this up.

  • Don’ts

You’re also not allowed to burn them in fire, mix damaged and undamaged, or store them in metal containers. All these actions are an impending disaster for homes and the community.

  • Do’s

When removing unwanted batteries, you should first be careful in removing them from devices. Next, you tape both ends to avoid short-circuiting and possibly fire.

After that, you store it in a cool and dry place. Note that you should keep old or damaged batteries separately.

Lastly, you place them in plastic bags or containers to be hauled to recycling centers of toxic waste disposal services.

  • Are Disposed Batteries Destroyed?

The answer is No and Yes. When your damaged or unwanted batteries fall into the hands of relevant agencies, they’re first to examine them.

Batteries that are severely damaged will be destroyed. But they will recycle the ones with little life. Recycling facilities in this state transform such items into new products.

How Damaged Batteries are Destroyed in California

The process of getting rid of batteries in California is similar to other regions.

They open the battery and pour the old acid into a container. Next, they add a half-pound of soda into the old acid. The idea is to neutralize the acid.

Final Thought

When disposing of batteries, you must use gloves for the process. Afterward, you put them inside a fabric bag or box. Wash your hands when you’re done.

What’s more, it’s good to buy rechargeable batteries to reduce the consumption of ordinary batteries. In California and other parts of the world, you can get many devices that use rechargeable batteries.

Batteries are items that we can’t do without them.

They’re found in almost every electronic device, including phones, laptops, cars, lamps, etc. when such batteries no longer hold charge or power devices; they’re termed dead.

Because these items can be dangerous when thrown in landfills, most people wonder where to dispose of them.

If you live in California and wondering where and how to dispose of your dead or old batteries, the information above will guide you.