ZIP!!! HONK!! GRRRRR!! ZZZZZzzzzzz……What are these sounds? Only what feels like the hundreds of battery operated toys the kids have collected throughout years of play. It’s awesome to have what seems to be an endless supply of energy that makes toys spin, twirl, beep and dance and it’s super easy to replace those little guys with a freshie fresh set and get the truck, the robot, or the bike light movin’ and groovin’ again but what happens to the old, dead, potentially harmful little sticks? Mama Earth needs our help to stay clean and healthy for our kiddos’ kids, so be sure to collect em’ up until you’ve got a nice pile and take them to a place where folks will dispose of them in the right way. Leaky batteries can spell toxic mess for our environment and around these parts, our environment is just too cool to put in harm’s way. Here are some spots in your neighborhood where disposing of batteries is totally okay.
San Francisco
Cole Hardware
This popular hardware store knows the importance of recycling stuff the right way and not only do they offer awesome tips and hints on where to recycle what, they also accept standard household batteries at all four of their locations in the city.
Cole Street Store
956 Cole Street
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Phone: 415-753-2653
Online: colehardware.com
2254 Polk Street
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sat & Sun: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Phone: 415-674-8913Batteries Plus
Drop off the old while picking up the new. Batteries Plus on Bush Street offers a responsible way to recycle. There are two other locations in the Bay Area, check out the full list here. Batteries Plus1450 Bush StreetSan Francisco, Ca415-888-5500Hours: Mon—Thurs: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Fri : 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sat: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sun: 11:00 am – 5:00 pmOnline: batteriesplus.com/store_details
Did you know? It’s illegal in the state of California to throw batteries in the trash!
East Bay
Arts Automotive
This Certified Bay Area Green Business is also a stop off spot for recycling several toxic items, including batteries. They don’t charge for recycling unless your package is over 10 lbs.
The guys behind one of the original spots where all things energized can be found are also avid recyclers. There are numerous locations in the East Bay, check the website for a spot near you.
Radio ShackLocations found here. El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource CenterA top-notch community center for green programs, the resource center completed it’s overhaul in 2012 and it’s awesome! It’s been LEED certified(meaning way cool and super modern green building)It uses rain water and sunlight for powering lights garden water and allows for easy drop off and recycling education. El Cerrito Recycling7501 Schmidt LaneEl Cerrito, CaHours: Mon – Fri: 8:00 am to 5:45 pm, Sat & Sun: 9:00 am to 4:45 pmPhone: 510-215-4319Online: ca-elcerrito.civicplus.comMarin
Novato Builders Supply
Folks in northern Marin don’t have to go far to drop off batteries, just stop in at the Builders Supply, they’ll gladly take the used waste off your hands.
100 Red Hill Aveune
San Anselmo, Ca
Hours: Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 9:00 pm, Sat: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm, Sun: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Phone: 415-456-1271
FYI: There are many more drop off locations, check Zero Waste Marin’s full list here.
South Bay/Peninsula
San Mateo City Hall
The city staff is doing the right thing and offer a battery bucket for recycling. Next time you are in for official business, don’t forget to bring your bag of old energy sticks. They ask you apply clear tape to both ends of the batteries, to reduce the chance of sparks.
FYI: You have to be a resident of the area inside Recology of the Coast’s boundaries to use their drop off services.
Recology of the Coast 2305 Palmetta AvenuePacifica, CaHours: Mon – Sat: 8:00 am – 4:00 pmPhone: 650-355-9000Online: recologyofthecoast.com The Tech Museum of InnovationNext time your family plans a trip to this super cool, no-surprise-it’s-in-Silicon-Valley museum, where programs and and play help to show how technology has improved lives, be sure to bring your pile of old batteries along for the ride. The museum has a drop off bin, located behind the Membership desk. Tech Museum of Innovation201 South Market StreetSan Jose, CaHours: Mon – Sun: 10:00 am – 5:00 pmPhone: 408-294-8324Online: thetech.org
Did you know? Can’t find a drop-off spot near your home pad? San Mateo County RecycleWorks lists more locations here.
What do you do to make sure batteries make their way into the proper recycling spots?
–Gabrielle Cullen
Photo Courtesy John Seb via Flickr
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