All batteries, cell phones, and fluorescent lamps and tubes in California must be either recycled, taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, or taken to a universal waste handler (e.g., storage facility, broker) or an authorized recycling facility. Start early and do your part now.

Batteries: All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes all batteries of sizes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, and all other batteries, both rechargeable and single use. Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contained within. Batteries are potentially a valuable source of recyclable metal. However at this time, only rechargeable batteries are commonly recycled by industry. Single use batteries end up in landfills. Currently less than 1% of all one-use batteries are recycled. This means that in California about 3.8 million batteries are landfilled each year. Alkaline batteries, unless labeled low mercury, typically contain 1% mercury content. Although this amount seems small, due to the volume of batteries purchased and used, it can have serious impacts on the environment. Some estimates suggest that 88% of all mercury in the municipal solid waste stream is from ordinary non-rechargeable dry cell batteries such as the ordinary AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, and 9 Volt batteries.

Cell Phones:  Cell phones contain toxic materials that threaten human health and the environment

Both batteries and cell phones are classified as Universal Waste and are banned from disposal with garbage and must be handled properly.

Follow this link to learn more about Recycling Batteries and Cell Phones.

Fluorescent Lamps: All fluorescent lamps and tubes are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded because they contain mercury. This includes:  Fluorescent tubes, including low mercury tubes.  Compact fluorescents, including low mercury lamps. When mercury-containing lamps or tubes are placed in the trash and collected for disposal, the lamps or tubes are broken and mercury is released to the environment. Mercury vapors from broken lamps or tubes can be absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. People who are particularly close to the breakage are especially at risk. Mercury from broken lamps and tubes can also be washed by rainwater into waterways. All fluorescent lamps and tubes should be recycled.

For additional information, please download a copy of a brochure that provides key information on fluorescent bulbs including safety tips.

Follow this link for a list of locations to recycle fluorescent bulbs: http://www.flowstobay.org/cs_fluorescentbulbs.php

OPTIONS FOR RECYCLING:

Transfer Station:

Batteries (household), cell phones, and fluorescent tubes are accepted from residents at the Recyclery in San Carlos anytime between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Residents should enter at the Recyclery Center drop-off at 333 Shoreway Road, not the Transfer Station.

City Hall:

Batteries (household single use and rechargeable) and cell phones are accepted at City Hall from residents anytime between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Recycleworks:

Please visit the Recycleworks website for more information on how to recycle these household hazardous wastes and others such as motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, car batteries, and latex paint.