How To Recycle Batteries In Washington D.C. 5 Easy Steps

Welcome, 5 Steps A How To On Safe Battery Recycling And Disposal In Washington D.C.- Expert Solutions Secure Waste

Hello and welcome to Secure Waste! We’re thrilled you chose us as your go-to source for trustworthy battery handling and disposal information.

Here, you’ll find the latest guidance and drop-off locations across Washington, D.C. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our environment! If you have a collection of used AA batteries from kids’ toys, AAA batteries from the remote, or a couple of watch batteries, now is the perfect time to take action. Thank you for being part of this critical effort!

Starting November 1, residents in the District can proudly drop off all types of home-use batteries at designated locations throughout the city for free! They’re committed to recycling, making our community cleaner and greener. Let’s make a difference together!

District Of Columbia Battery Recycling — Innovative Battery Recycling Solutions in the District of Columbia

Thanks to funding from battery manufacturers, the first battery recycling program in the U.S. will accept rechargeable and single-use batteries. Carin Stuart, a spokesperson for Call2Recycle, announced this initiative in collaboration with the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment. Previously, collection sites only accepted rechargeable batteries.

“As batteries grow larger and are used in more devices, safe disposal becomes increasingly important,” said Stuart. “Battery recycling creates a circular economy, reducing the need to mine new materials by reclaiming and reintegrating materials into new products.”

As part of the new program, Stuart mentioned that people can drop off any rechargeable or single-use battery that weighs under 11 pounds or has less than 300 watt-hours for lithium-ion batteries. Some batteries must have their ends taped over or wrapped in a plastic bag. However, car and e-bike batteries cannot be accepted; many bike shops in the city offer drop-off options for e-bike batteries.

“The focus is on what you would call a portable battery,” Stuart explained. “[It] covers any battery that consumers typically carry around with them, rather than those used in vehicles or that need to be uninstalled.”

Battery manufacturer companies fund the recycling program, as is the case in many regions nationwide. Stuart noted that Call2Recycle currently has 22 partner sites throughout the District, where specially lined boxes will be available to ensure that batteries can be safely transported to recycling facilities nationwide.

D.C. law requires the initiative to have at least 70 locations spread across all eight wards, focusing on public transit accessibility. The D.C. Council identified the need for a battery recycling program funded by manufacturers nearly three years ago but delayed its implementation using emergency legislation in 2022.