Batteries disposal in California
What California says to do with batteries, read off California Department of Toxic Substances Control's own page on 2026-08-19.
California treats household batteries — single-use alkaline, zinc-carbon, button and lithium cells as well as rechargeables — as universal waste, and DTSC says old batteries cannot go in the trash or household recycling bins because it is prohibited by law. Read from California Department of Toxic Substances Control · checked 2026-08-19
To prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries, tape battery terminals and/or place batteries in separate plastic bags and never put these batteries in household garbage or recycling bins (US EPA).
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 (California DTSC).
Where to take it
Sites are listed in the Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 (AB 2440) stewardship program drop-off site finder.
The statute California cites is Health & Safety Code §§ 25216–25216.3; Public Resources Code §§ 42451–42456; 22 CCR § 66273.2.
Counties differ — verify with your local program.
All 50 states: Can you throw away batteries? — the federal baseline, what happens to it, and every state's rule with the page it was read from.