Batteries

Important Notice about Batteries

The following batteries are not accepted at SWALCO-sponsored Residential Electronics Collection sites and the SWALCO Household Chemical Waste Collection program:

  • Automotive and Marine Lead Acid Batteries: Automobile, motorcycle, boat, and recreational vehicle batteries are prohibited by State law from being disposed of in the trash and may be returned to the place of purchase or to a metal scrap yard that accepts them. 

The following batteries are accepted at SWALCO Household Chemical Waste or Special Material Collection events: 

  • Single-Use Non-Rechargeable Alkaline and Primary Batteries:AAA, AA, C, D, 9v & 6v, Zinc-Air, Zinc-Carbon, Zinc Chloride, and button batteries labeled CR/SR/LR
  • Non-Automotive and Non-Marine Lead Acid Batteries: Backup sump pump, riding lawn mower, and small sealed lead acid batteries
  • Rechargeable Batteries: Lithium-ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), and Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
  • Damaged or Defective Batteries: Stinky, swollen, or cracked

** Beginning on January 1, 2020 State law HB2296, became effective. This law prohibits residents and businesses from placing rechargeable or lead acid batteries into recycling carts.

A note about safely handling rechargeable batteries before delivery to a collection location: To avoid the risk of cross-contact of battery terminals, which can result in sparking and possible fire, please place a piece of household tape over each terminal or contact point of each battery or place each battery into a self-locking plastic baggie (one battery per bag).

Visit Avoid the Spark to learn more about battery types.

Alkaline Batteries

More on Alkaline and Primary Batteries 

Recycling processes for single-use non-rechargeable alkaline and primary batteries are not yet widely available (i.e. AAA, AA, C, D 9v & 6v, Zinc-Air, Zinc-Carbon, and Zinc-Chloride). The US EPA classifies single-use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries as non-hazardous and advises that they may be safely disposed of with normal household waste. Never dispose of batteries in fire because they could explode. It is important not to dispose of large numbers of batteries in a group. Used batteries are often not completely drained of power. Grouping used batteries together can bring these partially charged batteries into contact with one another, creating sparking and possible fire. To avoid risk, simply place a piece of household tape over the contact points of each used battery before disposing of them in the normal household waste. 

In addition to SWALCO's free Household Chemical Waste (HCW) collection events, there are fee-based recycling options for single-use non-rechargeable alkaline and primary batteries available to Lake County residents, as well as fee-based mail-back options.  

The following is a list of service providers that accept single-use non-rechargeable alkaline and primary batteries (fees may apply).

BatteriesPlus: https://www.batteriesplus.com/recycling

Call to Recycle: www.call2recycle.org/locator

WM Think Green from Home: www.thinkgreenfromhome.com

The Big Green Box: www.biggreenbox.com

Terracycle: https://shop.terracycle.com/en-US/products?taxon=939