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 may be classified as a type of hazardous waste called “universal waste”. Universal wastes pose a lower immediate risk to people and the environment when handled properly. Their lower risk allows them to be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to other hazardous wastes.

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To learn more about universal waste, visit our Universal Waste webpages.

Which Batteries are NOT Universal Waste?

Batteries that are not considered universal wastes include, but may not be limited to:

Automotive-type spent lead-acid storage batteries
Batteries that are not yet wastes
Batteries determined to be non-hazardous
Federally regulated batteries

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.

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.

Recycle Your Old Batteries

By recycling your old batteries, you help to:

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Protect human health and the environment by keeping hazardous materials out of landfills

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Provide an opportunity for the recovery and reuse of valuable resources and “critical materials and minerals”

Learn more about critical materials and minerals! Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s What Are Critical Materials and Critical Minerals? webpage.

What “critical minerals” are in batteries?

Batteries may contain critical minerals such as:

Aluminum
Nickel
Graphite
Manganese
Platinum
Zinc

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 governments and retailers have programs that accept old batteries. For information on collection programs near you, contact your local waste service provider. Our Household Hazardous Waste webpage has more information and resources you may find helpful.

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 applies to producers of covered batteries sold in California. Covered batteries include:

a loose battery that is sold separately from a product
a battery that is designed to be easily removed from a product by the user using only common household tools
A battery that is packed with, but not installed in, the product the battery is intended to power

This Act requires that producers establish a stewardship program. This program must cover the collection and recycling of covered batteries in California. The producer or stewardship organization(s) must develop a stewardship plan. Their plan must meet certain standards and elements specified in the Act.

Learn more about how the Act is being carried out by CalRecycle

A retailer or distributor will NOT be able to:

sell
distribute
offer for sale
import

a covered battery in or into California if the covered battery producer is non-compliant.

This bill will 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

This bill expands the scope of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003. The act will now include covered battery-embedded products (CBEPs). In doing this, California is adding CBEPs to the Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program.

What is a Covered Battery-Embedded Product (CBEP)?

Covered battery-embedded product means a product that contains a battery that is not designed to be easily removed by the user with common household tools.

CBEPs do NOT include:

Certain medical devices
Existing covered electronic devices (video display devices)
Certain energy storage systems
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, vape pens)

Implementation Timeline

On and after January 1, 2026, Consumers will be required to pay a covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee. This fee will apply when purchasing a new or refurbished CBEP.
On or before August 1, 2027, CalRecycle and DTSC will review the covered battery-embedded waste recycling fee for CBEPs. Upon review, we will make fair and reasonable adjustments to the fee. This is done to ensure that there are enough reserves to fund the CEW Recycling Program.
Beginning on August 1, 2028, CalRecycle and DTSC may establish more than one covered electronic waste recycling fee for CBEPs. These fees will be based on categories of those products.

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