Did you know that lithium-ion batteries that power your electronics often end up in curbside garbage or recycling bins and then go to the landfill or material recovery center where they cause FIRES?

Recently, six of our local garbage trucks caught fire, the Recycling Material Recovery Center and landfills did too!

Which Batteries Are the Most Dangerous?.

Lithium-ion batteries pose a serious FIRE risk when put into your curbside collection containers. Remember, collection trucks compact loads at regular intervals, and landfills or recycling facilities use heavy equipment to compact or crushing machinery to sort materials. Once a battery is crushed, they explode and start fires.

How Do I Dispose of My Batteries?

Through the IWMA’s SLO Take Back Program, every retailer that sells household batteries in San Luis Obispo County must take those items back from the public for FREE. To be recycled through this program, batteries should be fully discharged.

Why Are Batteries Hazardous?

Do NOT put batteries in your curbside bins. If crushed as the collection truck compacts the load, they can start FIRES. Batteries are considered hazardous waste which is illegal to put in a landfill and they contain toxic or corrosive materials. Yet, all batteries are recyclable! Remember, to take your batteries back to any store in San Luis Obispo County that sells batteries for FREE, SAFE recycling.

What Do I Do with Lead-Acid Batteries from My Car?

You can dispose of car batteries at these Household Hazardous Waste Facilities. Here are some local businesses that accept used car batteries.

What About Embedded Batteries in Laptops?

Embedded laptop batteries are hazardous waste and can be taken to any Household Hazardous Waste Facility. 

Making a Bad Situation Even Worse, Battery FIRES Re-ignite!

Click this link to see for yourself: Battery fire that continues to re-ignite.