Portland's new curbside battery recycling, explained
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Batteries go in the yellow bin. Photo: Courtesy of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
Portlanders with curb recycling may include glass and, now, batteries in their yellow recycling bins.
Why it matters: Improperly discarded batteries are linked to an uptick in dangerous and costly fires at waste facilities.
- Lithium-based batteries can be damaged during waste processing, which can cause them to ignite.
- The rate of catastrophic recycling facility losses from fires has increased by 41% over the past five years, according to a study from the National Waste and Recycling Association.
Driving the news: The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability rolled out curbside battery recycling last week. Portlanders who live in a house, duplex, triplex, or fourplex can put batteries in a 1-quart bag with their glass recycling.
- Apartment residents and businesses must find a recycling center or ask their property manager to arrange for battery collection.
How it works: The new recycling program accepts any battery that fits in a 1-quart Ziploc. That includes:
- Rechargeable and single-use batteries
- Batteries labeled Alkaline
- Batteries labeled Lithium, Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
- Small batteries that can be easily removed (from old cell phones, cameras)
- Small tool batteries, such as from a drill
Pro tip: The contacts of any battery that does not say "Alkaline" on the side should be taped to prevent sparking and overheating if they touch each other.
Yes, but: A lot of items with built-in batteries are not accepted, including wireless devices, fitness bands, electric toothbrushes, cell phones, laptops, "singing" birthday cards, vape pens and e-cigarettes.
Fun fact: Batteries can be recycled into stainless steel, road asphalt and new batteries.
- Lithium-ion batteries also contain cobalt and lithium, critical minerals that can be captured and reused.
Zoom out: Portland joins Gresham together with many cities in Clackamas, Washington and Marion counties in offering residential curbside battery collection.
The bottom line: If in doubt, call 503-234-3000 or go to www.oregonmetro.gov/askmetro.