What types of batteries are accepted?
Generally, all battery sizes and types are accepted by OSEH HazMat for collection in the program. Most common battery types include "Household" variety.

AAA - AA - C - D - 9-volt - Button
Photo-Electronics - Lantern - Nickel Cadmium

Please contact OSEH Hazmat at 3-4568 if the battery to be recycled is not listed.

How are batteries collected for recycling?
Call to request a FREE specially marked white plastic battery collection pail from OSEH HazMat at 3-4568.

The pails are placed in select locations designated by the Department requesting the pails.

After a battery expires, place the expired battery in the white pail and replace the lid.

Once the pail becomes 2/3 to 3/4 full, contact OSEH HazMat at 3-4568 to request collection of the expired batteries.

Collection of batteries takes place every Monday - Wednesday. Departments requesting collection pickup can expect batteries to be removed the week following the request.

OSEH HazMat will pickup direct from the requested location unless other arrangements are made.

Replacement pails will be delivered at the time the old pail is removed.

Industrial and maintenance locations which generate large Lead Acid and Nickel Cadmium batteries can also participate in the battery collection program. However, due to the size and weight, batteries of this type are collected by special arrangement through OSEH HazMat. The Department requesting pickup should contact OSEH HazMat at 3-4568 and make arrangements to have the batteries collected from the requested location.

How are batteries recycled?
The batteries are sent to domestic recycling facilities where they are sorted by type.

Alkaline and zinc carbon batteries are shredded and given a slight acid shower to neutralize the electrolyte. The material is dried, blended with carbon steel trimmings to magnetize the material, then formed into bricks. The bricks are transported to a steel mill for processing where the zinc is fumed off for recovery and resale as zinc-oxide and the manganese dioxide is used as an alloy in rebar and steel.

Rechargable batteries, like lithium and nickel, are sent to a facility where the heavy metals are recovered and re-used for the production of more batteries.

Lead acid, silver oxide, mercury oxide and button cell batteries are disassembled by hammer mill, the electrolyte is neutralized and the heavy metals are recovered through controlled temperature processes. The metals are then refined for resale. Even the plastic from the battery cases and covers are recycled for new batteries.