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Battery Recycling in Merced, CA

Household batteries can be dropped off free at Merced City Hall (678 W 18th St), Public Works (1776 Grogan Ave), the Merced County Library (2100 O St) and the City Bulky Item Drop off Site; the Highway 59 Landfill takes up to 40 lbs a day.

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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

7 ways to get rid of a battery in Merced

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

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  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · MercedNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $75.00
    How it works

    Book online, set out your battery and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.

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  2. Merced Public Works Department (battery drop-off)Drop-off · 1776 Grogan Ave., MercedConditions applyFree
    Where

    1776 Grogan Ave.
    Merced, CA 95341

    Hours

    During the building's business hours

    Cost & rules

    Batteries

    Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
    • Household batteries only: no damaged, recalled or car batteries, nothing over 11 lbs or 300 watt-hours. Drop off during the site's business hours.
    • Preparation: Tape each terminal or bag batteries in clear, zip-seal or bubble bags.

    Full details & sourcesOfficial site (opens in new tab)

  3. Merced City Hall (battery drop-off)Drop-off · 678 W 18th St., MercedConditions applyFree
    Where

    678 W 18th St.
    Merced, CA 95340

    Hours

    During the building's business hours

    Cost & rules

    Batteries

    Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
    • Household batteries only: no damaged, recalled or car batteries, nothing over 11 lbs or 300 watt-hours. Drop off during the site's business hours.
    • Preparation: Tape each terminal or bag batteries in clear, zip-seal or bubble bags.

    Full details & sourcesOfficial site (opens in new tab)

  4. Merced County Library (battery drop-off)Drop-off · 2100 O St., MercedConditions applyFree
    Where

    2100 O St.
    Merced, CA 95340

    Hours

    During the building's business hours

    Cost & rules

    Batteries

    Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
    • Household batteries only: no damaged, recalled or car batteries, nothing over 11 lbs or 300 watt-hours. Drop off during the site's business hours.
    • Preparation: Tape each terminal or bag batteries in clear, zip-seal or bubble bags.

    Full details & sourcesOfficial site (opens in new tab)

  5. Billy Wright Landfill (Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority)County service · Merced CountyFree
    How it works

    Regional landfill at 17173 South Billy Wright Road, outside Los Banos, open Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m., (209) 826-1163. Merced County residents (not businesses) can drop off household batteries, liquid paint and electronic devices at no cost during normal hours, and up to 10 mattresses/box springs free. Tires are $3 (passenger) or $7 (truck) each; refrigerated appliances carry an $18 per-item charge.

    Cost & rules
    • Free HHW drop-off is for Merced County residents only, not businesses.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  6. Highway 59 Landfill (Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority)County service · Merced CountyFree
    How it works

    Regional landfill at 7040 North Highway 59, Merced, CA 95348, open Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Takes household paint, batteries and electronic devices at no cost from Merced County residents (not businesses), up to 10 mattresses/box springs free from residents, and refrigerated appliances for $18 each.

    Cost & rules
    • Free for Merced County residents only; not accepted from businesses. Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
    • Before you go: Tape the terminals of rechargeable batteries.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  7. City of Merced Bulky Item Drop-off SiteCity service · MercedMerced residentsConditions applyFree
    How it works

    City of Merced bulky item drop-off site at the corner of North Hwy 59 and Yosemite Ave (listed by the Regional Waste Management Authority as 3504 N. State Hwy 59), for City of Merced residential refuse customers only; open Tuesday–Friday noon–3 p.m. and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays 8 a.m.–noon. Accepts furniture, mattresses, up to 5 passenger/pickup tires, metal/appliances and household batteries; bring ID and a monthly bill.

    Cost & rules
    • Household batteries only: no damaged, recalled or car batteries, nothing over 11 lbs or 300 watt-hours. Drop off during the site's business hours.
    • Before you go: Tape each terminal or bag batteries in clear, zip-seal or bubble bags.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries before transport.
  2. Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and tell the operator.
  3. Ask which battery types are accepted; car batteries often go somewhere different.
More about batteries

California rules

More California rules (16)
Where this information comes from (30)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
    • Certain HHW is taken during normal hours at no cost from Merced County residents only, not businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Regularly accepted HHW is taken during normal hours at both Highway 59 and Billy Wright landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Automotive batteries and household/rechargeable batteries (limit 40 lbs a day) are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
    • Certain HHW is accepted during normal hours at no cost from Merced County residents only; not from businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Household and rechargeable batteries: limit 40 lbs per day; tape terminals of rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Disposal Rates (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
    • Highway 59 Landfill: 7040 North Highway 59, Merced, CA 95348; Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Battery Recycling (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
    • Residents may take household batteries to designated community disposal sites for no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Merced battery drop-off sites: City Bulky Item Drop off Site (3504 N. State Hwy 59), Public Works (1776 Grogan Ave, 95341), City Hall (678 W 18th St, 95340), County Library (2100 O St, 95340). Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Community sites do not take damaged or recalled batteries, car batteries, batteries over 11 lbs or over 300 watt-hours; those go to the landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Tape over each terminal; clear plastic, zip seal and bubble bags are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Collection hours coincide with each site's business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Merced: Bulky Item Drop-Off Site (opens in new tab) · City of Merced
    • The site is for City of Merced residential refuse service customers only; no commercial accounts. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • California law prohibits putting old batteries in the trash or in household recycling bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Common household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt and button cells, single-use or rechargeable) can be hazardous waste when discarded. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Store old batteries in a safe, dry place away from flammables and tape over the terminals to avoid fires. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many local governments and retailers accept old batteries; DTSC says to contact your local waste service provider. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Retailers that sell rechargeable batteries must accept consumers' used rechargeable batteries; take-back of other batteries such as alkalines is voluntary. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 (AB 2440) requires battery producers to set up a stewardship program for collecting and recycling covered loose and easily removable batteries; it repeals the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act on January 1, 2027. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Automotive-type lead-acid batteries are not universal waste; they fall under separate rules. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
    • CalRecycle lists all batteries, rechargeable and single-use, plus lead-acid car batteries, as banned from the trash, recycling and organics bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • California Health and Safety Code section 25215.2 (lead-acid battery dealers) (opens in new tab) · California Legislative Information
    • Lead-acid battery dealers must accept used starting, motive-power and vehicle auxiliary lead-acid batteries without charging a fee, but need not take more than six per person per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Buyers of a replacement lead-acid battery pay a nonrefundable $2 California battery fee and a refundable deposit, credited if a used battery is returned at purchase or within 45 days with the receipt. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • California Health and Safety Code section 25215.1 (lead-acid battery definitions) (opens in new tab) · California Legislative Information
    • Under the dealer rules, a lead-acid battery weighs over five kilograms, is mainly lead and sulfuric acid, and has a capacity of six volts or more. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • California Health and Safety Code section 25216.1 (spent battery collection) (opens in new tab) · California Legislative Information
    • A household hazardous waste facility may refuse spent batteries beyond its storage capacity and may charge a fee limited to its handling, storage and disposal costs for them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
    • CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

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