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Properly disposing of household batteries can keep our communities safe and prevent garbage/recycling truck and facility fires.
Battery Drop-Off
Household batteries can be recycled/properly disposed free of charge at Metro South’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility (2001 Washington St., Oregon City) and at other drop-off locations. Contact Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 or use their Find a Recycler tool for disposal options.
While curbside battery collection is not currently available to those who live in apartment, condo, or other multifamily communities with shared garbage and recycling service, Clackamas County Sustainability & Solid Waste is working with garbage and recycling companies to find a way to offer this service in a safe manner in the future.
Have friends or family with a glass bin? Ask to use theirs and be sure to follow the instructions below.
Curbside Collection of Batteries
Curbside collection of batteries is now available to single-family residential customers throughout Clackamas County (including within all cities) as part of regular garbage and recycling collection service.
Discarded batteries can spark and cause fires when not handled properly, creating dangerous situations for garbage and recycling truck drivers, processing facilities, and our communities. Follow these three important steps below to safely recycle/dispose of batteries in your glass bin.
Batteries Accepted
AAA, AA, C, D, button-cell & coin, 6- & 9-volt batteries
Rechargeable and single-use batteries
Batteries that can be easily removed (e.g. from old cell phones, cameras, etc.)
Batteries NOT Accepted
Batteries that do not fit in a 1 qt. zip-seal bag
Damaged, corroded, or bulging batteries
Embedded or built-in batteries - those that are not easily removable from their products (e.g. electric toothbrush, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, fitness watches/bands, vape pens, etc.)
Preparation
Follow these three steps to properly prepare your discarded batteries for recycling/disposal:
1. Tape ends of all batteries, except alkaline, with clear tape
- Can’t tell what type of battery it is? Tape it.
- For coin/button cell batteries, wrap tape around the entire battery. If you have multiple hearing aid or other coin/button cell batteries, save time by laying out a long strip of packing tape, place the batteries on the tape—be sure not to let them touch each other—and then place another long strip of tape on top.
2. Bag all batteries in a 1 qt. zip-seal clear plastic bag
- Zip-seal clear plastic bags smaller than 1 qt. are accepted.
- Bags larger than 1 qt. are not allowed.
3. Set on top of glass in the glass bin
- Set out on your regular garbage day. (Note: It is best practice to set your glass bin out only when it is at least half-full.)
- Limit of a single 1 qt. bag per pickup.
- Missing a glass bin? Contact your garbage and recycling company.
Safety Tips
Damaged (or corroded, bulging, leaking) batteries must be taken to a household hazardous waste facility. Never put damaged batteries in the trash or curbside battery recycling program.
- Place damaged batteries in a small plastic bag with absorbent, nonflammable materials, such as kitty litter, sand, or dry rice. For extra safety, place this bag into a metal can, like an old soup can.
- Take to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility for safe disposal (Call 503-234-3000 Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5pm, for phone assistance).
Never remove embedded or built-in rechargeable batteries. If a battery doesn’t come out easily, take the whole device to a drop-off facility. Call Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 on Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or search Find a Recycler for recycling options.
Why it matters
Prevent fires: Batteries can spark and cause fires. Battery-caused fires in garbage trucks and waste processing facilities have increased dramatically in recent years. These fires put workers’ lives in danger and can cost millions of dollars in damage. To prevent fires, batteries must be collected separately from other waste and the batteries that are most likely to cause fires must be taped. Learn more.
Avoid harm from toxic chemicals: Many batteries contain materials that, if not disposed of properly, can be harmful to people, animals, and the environment. By collecting batteries separately, we can ensure safe handling, disposal, and recycling. [Source: EPA]
Recycle batteries into new things: Batteries contain metal, plastic, and other materials that can be used to make new products. Old batteries can be recycled into new batteries, as well as stainless steel and even road asphalt. Recycling these materials reduces the negative impacts of producing new products on our air, water, and climate. Learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the batteries be placed in an open container like a coffee can?
No. The batteries need to be in a 1-quart clear sealed plastic bag for the safety of our recycling collectors.
I have one recycling cart, not a specific glass bin. Do I put my batteries in my cart?
No. Properly prepared batteries should only be placed with your glass in your glass bin. It is important for batteries to be collected separately to reduce the risk of fire.
If you don’t have a glass bin, you can place your bag of batteries and glass in a plastic crate or bucket next to your recycling cart for pickup. Please call your collector to have a glass bin delivered to you.
Glass should not be placed in your recycling cart as it reduces the value of materials when it breaks in the recycling truck and gets mixed in with the other materials. If you don’t know your collector, check our Garbage and Recycling Companies page.
Can the rechargeable batteries from vape pens be recycled?
If the battery cartridge is replaceable, it can be included with the ends taped. Never remove embedded or built-in rechargeable batteries. Some rechargeable batteries are not designed or intended to be removed. Check the manufacturer instructions for disposal. For additional questions for rechargeable batteries, contact Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 or use the Find a Recycler tool.
Can I recycle my corroding batteries?
Take your corroding, bulging or leaking batteries to a hazardous waste collection facility. Take lead acid batteries (automobile or motorcycle) to a battery shop.
My batteries weren’t picked up, what should I do now?
Make certain the batteries are in a clear sealed bag and prepared properly. Sometimes there can be issues when new initiatives begin. If your batteries aren’t being picked-up please call your collector. If you don’t know your collector, check our Garbage and Recycling Companies page.
What if I live in an apartment, condo, or mobile home community and don’t have my own glass bin?
This program is designed for single-family recycling at this time. You can take batteries to a household hazardous waste facility, battery store or home improvement store. Find details at Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 or use the Find a Recycler tool to learn where you can drop off batteries and other materials for reuse and recycling.
Have a question about other materials?
- Recycle Guides
View and download a Clackamas County Recycle Guide (Available in seven languages) - Find a Recycler
Look up easy options to recycle, donate or reuse anything from batteries and packing peanuts to that old dishwasher. - Metro Recycling Information Center
Call for your garbage and recycling questions at 503-234-3000. - Recycle or Not on Instagram
Check the posts and direct message pictures of questionable items to @recycleornot on Instagram. (Available in Spanish: @ReciclarONo) - Play the Recycle or Not game
Test your recycling knowledge with this interactive game. (Available in Spanish: ReciclarONo)
