Managing Hazardous Waste

We protect the environment and communities by ensuring compliance with hazardous waste laws

Universal Waste – Batteries

What is a Universal Waste?

Batteries exhibiting hazardous characteristics as described in the California Code of Regulations, title 22, chapter 11 may* be classified as a type of hazardous waste called “universal waste”. Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that pose a lower immediate risk to people and the environment when handled properly. Due to this lower risk, universal wastes can be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to other hazardous wastes.

*Does not include exempt batteries as defined in the California Code of Regulations, title 22, section 66273.2(b)

Common Types of Household Batteries

You will find that both single-use and rechargeable batteries are used in a variety of mainstream products today. These batteries can contain corrosive chemicals that can cause burns as well as toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel, silver, and mercury (in older batteries). Due to their hazardous characteristics, many batteries are classified as a hazardous waste when they are discarded and therefore must be handled appropriately.

The recycling batteries by permitted facilities allows for the recovery and reuse of valuable resources and “critical minerals” such as cobalt, lithium, and graphite. “Critical minerals” are defined by the U.S. Department of the Interior to be “raw materials that are economically and strategically important to the United States and have a high supply risk potential and for which there are no easy substitutes.”

Common household batteries include:

AA
AAA
C cells
D cells
9-Volt
Button batteries

Single-Use versus Rechargeable

Both single-use and rechargeable versions of these commonly used batteries exist in the market today. Single-use batteries are meant to be once until drained and then disposed of. Rechargeable batteries are meant to be recharged after they are drained and then reused.

Single-Use Battery Types

Alkaline
Zinc-carbon
Button-cell or coin
Single-use lithium

What about car batteries?

Rechargeable Battery Types

Lithium-ion
Nickel cadmium (NiCad or NiCd)
Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
Small-sealed lead acid (SS-Pb)

What To Do With Your Old Batteries

Old batteries can not be disposed in trash or household recycling collection bins intended to receive other non-hazardous waste and/or recyclable materials: it is prohibited by law.

How should I store my old batteries until I can take them to a recycling center?

Store your old batteries:

in a safe, dry place
out of the reach of children
away from other flammable materials

For an extra measure of safety, place masking tape or some other seal over the terminals to avoid fire hazards.

Where should I take my old batteries?

Many local government agencies and retailers run programs that accept old batteries and send them on for recycling. For information on local collection programs, contact your municipal waste service provider or check DTSC’s Household Hazardous Waste Program webpage for additional information and resources.

Are retailers required to accept used batteries from consumers for recycling?

Find a local battery collection program near you!

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Call2Recycle’s Rechargeable Battery and Cell Phone Drop-off Locator

Earth911.com

Additional battery recycling solutions

Are You A Universal Waste Handler?

Refer to the California Code of Regulations, title 22, chapter 23 which provides the regulatory standards for universal waste handlers.

Battery Management Requirements

Refer to the universal waste regulations to learn the requirements for universal waste handlers managing universal waste batteries.

Learn More

Battery Management Fact Sheet

Find more information about managing universal waste batteries at facilities handling solid waste and recyclable materials.

Learn More

Universal Waste and How to Handle It Fact Sheet

Find more information on what universal waste is and how it should be handled by both the universal waste handlers and the public.

Learn More

Laws and Regulations

PRC = California Public Resources Code

HSC = California Health and Safety Code

CCR = California Code of Regulations

Management of Small Household Batteries Law – HSC §§ 25216 – 25216.3
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act Law – PRC §§ 42451 – 42456
Universal Waste Management — Applicability – Batteries – 22 CCR § 66273.2
Universal Waste Management Requirements for Batteries – 22 CCR 66273.33(a)

AB 1125: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006 Fact Sheet

How is California Doing with Recycling Rechargeable Batteries?

Changing The Way Batteries Are Managed In California

On September 16th, 2022, Governor Newsom approved both Assembly Bill (AB) 2440 and Senate Bill (SB) 1215, making the provisions in these bills law in the state of California.

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AB 2440 - The Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022

The Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 (AB 2440) requires producers of covered batteries sold in California, either individually or through the creation of one or more stewardship organizations, to establish a stewardship program for the collection and recycling of covered batteries in California. The producer or stewardship organization(s) must then develop a stewardship plan pursuant to specific standards and elements set forth in the Act.

Once regulations are developed to implement this Act, CalRecycle will to post a list of producers that are in compliance with the act, including the reported brands of covered batteries of each producer, on their website, updating it each year. A retailer or distributor will be prohibited from selling, distributing, offering for sale, or importing a covered battery in or into California unless the producer of the covered battery is listed on that list as in compliance on the Act.

This bill would repeal:

The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006 as of January 1, 2027
The Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 as of January 1, 2028

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SB 1215 - Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003: Covered Battery-Embedded Products

SB 1215 expands the definition of “covered electronic device” to include a “covered battery-embedded product,” therefore expanding the scope of the the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 to include covered battery-embedded products.

On and after January 1, 2026, consumers will be required to pay a single covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee when purchasing a new or refurbished covered battery-embedded product.
On or before August 1, 2027, and thereafter as specified, CalRecycle and DTSC will review the covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee applicable to covered battery-embedded products, making any fair and reasonable adjustments to the charge to ensure that there are enough reserves to fund the covered electronic waste recycling program established pursuant to the Act.
Beginning on August 1, 2028, CalRecycle and DTSC will be authorized to establish more than one covered electronic waste recycling fee for covered battery-embedded products based on categories of those products.

For more information regarding the timeline and implementation of SB 1215, visit CalRecycle’s SB 1215 Covered Battery-Embedded Products webpage.