The Growth of Curbside Battery Collection
Local B&B Recycling Truck on Fire from a suspected, improperly disposed battery
Over the last year, the number of counties and cities in the region offering curbside collection of batteries has continued to grow. Batteries improperly disposed of in the garbage and recycling are known to cause fires at our local material recovery facilities, transfer stations, and even in garbage and recycling trucks. 2022 saw over 390 reported waste and recycling facility fires in the U.S. and Canada, the highest number since tracking began in 2016[1]. The real number is likely larger, as not all incidents are reported.
Some of the most dangerous batteries are lithium-ion batteries and lithium metal batteries. While these sound similar, their chemistries are fundamentally different, and so are the conditions that make them hazardous. When heavy equipment rubs against, crushes, or punctures such batteries, they can become super-heated and spark a fire or even explode. However, those are not the only incidents that can cause what experts call a “thermal event”. The discharge of energy too quickly, extreme temperatures, agitation/vibration, water exposure, short circuits, overcharging, and more have caused these batteries to fail.
Due to their chemical makeup, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries are prone to reigniting, making putting these fires out particularly difficult and often requiring special equipment. Some lithium-ion batteries found in electric vehicles can reignite four to six weeks later! Some battery fires also generate toxic gasses and there is a growing awareness that these gasses can be more dangerous to first responders and workers than the fire itself. All this highlights the huge safety risk of improperly disposed batteries to the workers handling our garbage and recycling.
Concerns over Collection
While all these AA batteries look similar, they have completely different chemical properties which present very different hazards and disposal requirements. Will most people be able to tell the difference? This is a great example of the challenges for battery collection.
I am by no means a battery expert, so in writing this article, I turned to two Master Recyclers who work at one of Metro’s Household Hazardous Waste Facilities. Their response brought up several concerns. Would the public be able to tell different batteries apart? What about safely handling them, isolating terminals, and packaging them for responsible disposal (especially damaged batteries)?
Battery size (such as AA, AAA, C, etc.) does not indicate battery chemistry, which makes explaining what batteries are accepted in a curbside collection program difficult. Batteries waiting for collection at the curb could also be potentially exposed to heat and rain (though requiring batteries to be placed in a zip-sealed bag may help reduce rain concerns). They also questioned if local garbage and recycling companies could safely transport different batteries that may jostle together, and if each truck would have the expensive type of fire extinguisher required for battery fires.
While the battery experts at Household Hazardous Waste have concerns about safety of a curbside battery collection program, such programs are active in communities throughout North America. Marion County, which our new local programs are based on, has had a curbside battery collection program since 2000.
Curbside battery collection is still new in the region. Messaging is likely to evolve as local jurisdictions improve their outreach and education and local haulers refine their process for handling these batteries. As Master Recyclers, you can help spread the word about how important it is to properly dispose of batteries. You can also help people learn if curbside battery collection is available for them and how to participate.
Where is this service currently offered?
As of July 2023, single-family household customers in the below communities can now safely dispose of batteries with weekly curbside collection service for no additional cost.
Banks
Beaverton
Durham
Gresham
Hillsboro
King City
North Plains
Sherwood
Tigard
All Clackamas County and cities within
Unincorporated Washington County
More communities plan to roll out this service, so make sure to check with your local jurisdiction in a few months if not currently offered. The program is also not available to people living in multifamily housing, but the ultimate plan is to make it more available to these communities once access and fire marshal issues are addressed. In the meantime, people in multifamily housing or in communities not listed above can find a nearby battery drop-off location using Metro’s Find a Recycler tool.
What batteries are accepted?
The proper identification of batteries poses a major challenge to their proper disposal. Some batteries (such as the lithium-ion batteries) are more dangerous than others. Make sure to read the battery, as it will often say what type it is.
Accepted
Alkaline batteries
(these batteries can often be identified by the words “heavy duty,” “super-heavy duty,” “alkaline,” “carbon zinc”, “0% mercury,” “mercury free,” and “dry cell.”)
The below batteries are accepted, but their ends must be taped to reduce fire risk:
6-volt – 9-volt batteries
Button cell batteries (like hearing aid and watch batteries)
Lithium batteries
Rechargeable batteries (ex. Li-Ion, NiMH, NiCD)
Battery packs (like laptop and cellphone batteries)
Helpful tip! If you cannot tell the difference between battery types, err on the side of caution and take all batteries to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Metro Central, Metro South, or a neighborhood collection event returning in the fall).
Not Accepted
Battery back-up (UPS) units
Lead-acid batteries (ex. vehicle batteries)
Batteries that do not fit in the 1-quart bag.
Damaged, defective, or recalled batteries
How to include the batteries
Step 1: Tape the ends of those batteries that require taping
Step 2: Place batteries in a 1-quart, zip-sealed, clear plastic bag
Step 3: Place the plastic bag in your glass recycling bin for collection. If your bin is full of glass, place the bag of batteries on top.
Batteries are collected on the same schedule as your glass recycling – limit of a single 1-quart bag per pick up.
Battery safety tips
Batteries should be placed in a cool, dry area away from potential heat sources, flammable materials, and metals.
Damaged batteries should be placed immediately in an absorbent, nonflammable material such as kitty litter or sand, and taken the a Household Hazardous Waste Facility. If the materials start to smoke or combust, call 911.
Keep batteries away from children. Batteries can be toxic if swallowed or exposed.
Never remove embedded or built-in rechargeable batteries. Some rechargeable batteries are not designed or intended to be removed. Contact Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503- 234-3000 or use Metro’s Find a Recycler tool for disposal options.
Many thanks to our Master Recycler Haz-Cats for lending their expertise on this article!
Miriam Reeber (Class 40) and Andrew Judkins (Class 54)
[1] https://www.waste360.com/waste/2022-officially-worst-year-waste-and-recycling-facility-fires