One of the topics I get the most questions about is batteries.
People know (for the most part) not to put them in their curbside trash, but they don’t know where to take them.
Batteries in curbside trash can react with chemicals in the carts which can cause the trucks to catch on fire, called a “hot load” in the industry. Batteries and chemicals should be disposed of other places than the curbside cart.
- Batteries Plus and Radio Shack take all types and sizes of batteries.
- Home Depot and Lowe’s take rechargeable batteries.
- The City of Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center accepts all types and sizes of batteries. Go through the HHW line at the Center.
- All Austin Public Library locations have a battery bucket to collect all types and sizes of batteries.
The City of Austin has also created a Battery Drop-off Locations list accurate as of September 2018, or the date they list on their website. Locations are subject to change so call first if you’re unsure.
Batteries are taken apart at the City of Austin Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center and sorted into separate categories for recycling and proper disposal. So recycling batteries does happen if they’re dropped off at a proper processing site.
- Round Rock, Texas only accepts car batteries and only at their Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal facility.
- New Braunfels does not offer an battery recycling program.
- San Marcos accepts batteries at their Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off (HHW).