Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative office is open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
703-324-5230 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 458, Fairfax, Va 22035
Eric Forbes
Director, Solid Waste Management

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Batteries

Battery Drop Off Collection Box

The Solid Waste Management Program office, located at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 458, Fairfax VA, 22035, is currently accepting the following rechargeable batteries and single-use/Alkaline batteries in our battery collection box:

Alkaline/single use batteries:

  • AA, AAA, 9-volt,
  • C cell, D cell, button cell,
  • Lithium Primary,
  • Carbon Zinc

Rechargeable batteries:

  • Nickel Cadmium,
  • Lithium Ion,
  • Small Sealed Lead Acid,
  • Nickle Metal Hydride,
  • Nickle Zinc

Cellphones:

  • All types & ages

Please Note:

  • We can only take limited quantities of batteries and we will ask that you bag them individually (bags provided at our drop-off box).
  • We cannot accept damaged, defective, recalled batteries, car batteries, or individual batteries weighing more than 11 pounds. These must be taken to 66 Transfer Station or 95 Complex.

Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All batteries contain chemicals. Some of these chemicals — especially lead, nickel, cadmium, mercury, zinc and silver — can be problematic if they are leaked or released into our environment. This is why it is important that they be handled correctly according to type.

General types of batteries, including Lithium Metal, Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Silver Oxide, Zinc AIr, Lithium Ion, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lead Acid, And Rechargeable Alkaline.

If You Are a Resident (see business requirements below)

Check the Label on Your Battery

  • If the label reads "Alkaline" or "Carbon Zinc" you can place the battery in your household trash. When discarding single-use batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, C or D cell) in your household trash, follow one of these safety procedures before throwing them away to prevent an accidental fire.
    • Place a piece of electrical tape over both ends (+/-) of the battery.
    • (or) Place batteries separately in a sealed plastic bag
    • (or) Place batteries in their original packaging, sealed with tape.
  • If you cannot read the label please take it to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.
  • If the label reads any other battery type please take it to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.

Battery Types and Devices

Follow one of these alkaline battery safety procedures before throwing them away to avoid dangerous leaks and fires.

  • Tape over both ends (+/-) of the battery, or
  • Place in their own sealed plastic bag, or
  • Place in original packaging, sealed with tape and then dispose in your household trash.

More Information

Primary/Single-Use batteries cannot be recharged and must be disposed of once they wear out. Alkaline, lithium, silver oxide, zinc-air, zinc-carbon, and zinc-chloride, commonly known as AA, AAA, 9V, D-cell, and button cell are all types of primary batteries.

Assortment of alkaline batteries.

Primary/Single-Use batteries are most used in low-drain devices, such as flashlights, clocks, watches, remote controls, and smoke detectors.

Follow one of these carbon zinc battery safety procedures before throwing them away to prevent an accidental fire.

  • Tape over both ends (+/-) of the battery, or
  • Place in their own sealed plastic bag, or
  • Place in original packaging, sealed with tape and then dispose in your household trash.

More Information

Everyday household batteries used in flashlights, remote controls, and other appliances. Labeled "carbon zinc," the size can be AA, AAA, 9v, D or C.

Assortment of carbon zinc batteries.

Assortment of carbon zinc button-type batteries.

  • Assortment of Automotive/Lead Acid batteries in the shed.Take automotive/lead acid batteries to the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex, or
  • Many service stations will take back your used automotive battery when you purchase a new one.

More Information

These are used to power cars, light trucks, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles. They are not considered a household hazardous waste but do require special handling. When transporting them, please beware of leaks and keep upright.

Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb) batteries can typically be found in emergency devices, emergency exit signs, security systems, mobility scooters and UPS back-ups.

Assortment of Automotive/Lead Acid batteries.

Lead acid batteries in uninterruptible power supply.

Marine lead acid battery.

Sealed lead acid battery.

Take to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.

Many battery types (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-on, Ni-Zn, Pb) are available in rechargeable form. They will say "rechargeable" somewhere on the battery label. They are most commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders and remote control toys.

Take nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.

These are commonly used in cordless power tools, laptop computers, cameras and cell phones. Labeled "Ni-Cd" they come in various sizes including 9v, D, and AA. They can also be small, round button-cell type batteries.

Assortment of Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries.

Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery power tool.

Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery.

Take nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.

These are commonly used in cordless power tools, laptop computers, cameras and cell phones. Labeled “Ni-MH” they come in various sizes including 9v, D, and AA. They can also be small, round button-cell type batteries.

Assortment of Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, including D, C, AA, AAA, Sub-C, 9-Volt, and Button types.

Roomba Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.

Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack.

Take mercury batteries to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.

Zinc air, alkaline, and silver oxide button cell batteries contain small amounts of mercury. Mercuric oxide batteries also contain mercury.

Mercury containing batteries can typically be found in small portable electronic devices such as watches, cameras, digital thermometers, calculators, and toys.

Mercury, button-type battery.

Take lithium batteries to a Household Hazardous Waste site such as the I-66 Transfer Station or I-95 Landfill Complex.

These can be used in many electronic devices such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers. Labeled "Lithium," “Lithium Primary,” “Lithium Metal Primary,” “Lithium Ion,” “Li-ion, ” or “Lithium Polymer,” they can be 9v, C, and AA. They can also be small, round button-cell type batteries.

Lithium batteries.

Lithium batteries typically in a laptop.

Lithium batteries in vape cigarettes.

Lithium batteries in power tools.

If You Are a Business

Businesses are required to handle all batteries in accordance with federal regulations. To learn about the national battery act, visit EPA's Battery Manufacturing Effluent Guidelines.

Businesses can refer to the Universal Waste guidelines for more battery management information.

Special programs exist for recycling rechargeable batteries from retailers, businesses, communities and public agencies. The program is free for these groups. Participating businesses only pay for shipping to the reclamation facility. For more information, contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 1-800-8-BATTERY, TTY 1-800-255-0056.

See also:

Important!

All batteries contain chemicals, and some are extremely harmful to the environment if they leak.

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