How to recycle batteries safely
Batteries are household hazardous waste (HHW). Never put them in curbside trash or a curbside recycling bin.
Store and prepare them
- Keep batteries dry, out of heat, and away from metal objects that could short the terminals.
- Tape the terminals of loose batteries, especially lithium and 9-volt types, or keep each in its own small bag.
- Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and handle them as little as possible — ask the drop-off programme how they want them presented.
- Do not mix batteries in with liquids or other chemicals.
Where they go
Take household batteries to a S.A.F.E. Center, an LA County permanent center, or a one-day county HHW / e-waste event. Transport limit: 15 gallons or 125 lbs per trip. Confirm accepted battery types on the official page before you go.
Battery-embedded products
California SB 1215 expands covered e-waste to battery-embedded products from January 1, 2026 — devices with batteries that cannot be easily removed are handled as covered e-waste rather than loose-battery HHW. Still: never curbside trash for either stream.