Did you know sorting trash correctly can be a safety issue? 

To help reduce fire risk, residents should always dispose of batteries properly. Household batteries can cause a fire when they mix with other materials in the curbside container, collection truck, or at the waste sorting facility.  

Recycling batteries can also be a valuable source of materials such as metal, lead, and electrolytes–another reason to ensure batteries are recycled.  

Household batteries such as AAA, AA, C, D, and 9-volt, are categorized as “household hazardous waste” (HHW) and can be brought for free recycling and disposal to multiple locations in the region. 

“To reduce battery waste, you can try to purchase rechargeable batteries or devices where possible,” said Jesa David, spokesperson for the Recycling and Solid Waste Division. “Those rechargeable battery devices can also be dropped off for free at an HHW facility or picked up through our curbside e-waste pickup.” 

HHW also includes fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, household cleaners, propane tanks, paint, and other materials which all require safe disposal.   

There are more free options to drop off household batteries at local sites listed below.  

Lithium-ion batteries and devices, car batteries, and other HHW items are not accepted at these locations. These locations are only free to City of Sacramento residents for battery waste generated at your home (no business waste).  

• Department of Utilities (1395 35th Ave.) 

• Belle Cooledge Community Center (5699 South Land Park Drive) 

• Coloma Community Center (4623 T St.)

• Ethel MacLeod Hart Senior Center (915 27th St.)

• George Sim Community Center (6207 Logan St.)

• Sam and Bonnie Pannell Meadowview Community Center (2450 Meadowview Rd.)

• South Natomas Community Center (2901 Truxel Rd.)

• Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.)

• Robertson Community Center (3525 Norwood Ave.)

If you are not sure where to recycle batteries or dispose of other waste, you can check the Waste Wizard tool in the free SacRecycle app or visit sacrecycle.org.