Batteries disposal in Washington
What Washington says to do with batteries, read off Washington Department of Ecology's own page on 2026-08-19.
Washington's 2023 battery stewardship law requires producers to fund a free statewide collection system — Ecology says collection sites begin accepting portable batteries July 1, 2027 and medium-format batteries January 1, 2029, and points to existing drop-off locations until then. Read from Washington Department of Ecology · 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).
Where to take it
Sites are listed in the Battery Stewardship Program drop-off site finder.
The statute Washington cites is Chapter 173-905 WAC — Battery Stewardship Program (effective Jan. 16, 2026).
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.