Please do not place items that can ignite fires in trash or recycling bins. A single improperly discarded battery, when compacted in a refuse collection truck or at a recycling facility, can ignite a fire, putting drivers and recycling workers at risk. So can compressed gas cylinders, such as propane canisters used for camping or metal bottles containing oxygen.
Be Aware
While batteries may appear dead, they can still retain energy. If crushed, batteries can release energy or initiate a chemical reaction that can trigger a fire. This has become an increased risk with the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries, including those embedded in consumer products such as electronic devices, power tools, and lawn equipment. Improper disposal of these materials has sparked fires in San Francisco, San Carlos, and many other cities across the country.
No Batteries in Bins
CalRecycle, which oversees California’s waste management initiatives, estimates that 7,294 tons of batteries are improperly disposed of in California landfills each year. Municipalities have implemented local programs to help keep batteries out of refuse containers. Check with your city or local refuse hauler to confirm proper disposal protocols in your area.
In San Francisco, residential customers can put old household batteries in a clear, sealed plastic bag and place the bag on top of their gray landfill bin. Recology drivers collect bags of household batteries separately from other discards and deliver them to the Transfer Station for proper sorting and transport to companies that specialize in battery recycling.
San Francisco has an orange battery bucket program to collect household batteries at apartment buildings. Residents may also drop off used household batteries at designated retail stores. Go to sfrecycles.org to see a list of locations. Businesses can dispose of up to 5 gallons of batteries for free at the Recology San Francisco Transfer Station.
Customers disposing of power tools, electric toothbrushes, and other items containing embedded batteries can drop them off for free at the Public Reuse and Recycling Area at the Recology San Francisco Transfer Station.
No Compressed Gas Cylinders in Bins
Please do not place any compressed gas cylinders in any bin. Examples include metal cylinders for propane, butane, nitrous oxide, and helium. These cylinders can injure workers, damage equipment, and even explode if compressed inside a truck or recycling plant.
San Francisco residents can drop off empty and non-empty propane, butane, and helium cylinders (up to 5 gallons in size) and empty nitrous oxide cylinders at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for free.
Proposed Legislation
A bill moving through the California legislature would require companies selling mid-sized batteries or products containing them to set up programs to collect and recycle such batteries for free. E-bikes present a major source.
SB 501 passed the state Senate in January. On June 29, the bill cleared the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. SB 501 is supported by the California Professional Firefighters, the cities of San Jose and San Francisco and the counties of Los Angeles, Mendocino, and Santa Barbara, and the League of California Cities. Recology also supports this proposed legislation.