Battery Recycling in Monterey, CA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Salinas Valley Recycles: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Facility (opens in new tab) · Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (Salinas Valley Recycles)
  • The HHW Collection Facility at 1104 Madison Lane accepts household and auto batteries, e-waste (TVs, computers, cell phones) and latex and oil-based paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residential customers can drop off acceptable items for no charge, no appointment needed; check the service-area map. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Do not transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of HHW per month. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Salinas Valley Recycles: Disposal Fees and Service Fees effective July 1, 2026 (opens in new tab) · Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (Salinas Valley Recycles) · effective July 1, 2026
  • At the Madison Lane facility, households within the Authority's service area pay no charge; households outside are charged the commercial rate. Checked October 26, 2026.
• City of Monterey: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Monterey Sustainability Office
  • Single-family households may recycle 9V, AA, AAA, C and D batteries by placing them in a clear 1-quart (or smaller) zipper bag on top of the recycling cart lid. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tape square-base battery tops; one 1-quart bag per week; single-family residences only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Single-family residences only; not for multi-family or commercial customers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The Monterey Library has a public household-battery collection receptacle inside the library. Checked October 26, 2026.
• ReGen Monterey: Accepted Items (Household Hazardous Waste) (opens in new tab) · Monterey Regional Waste Management District (ReGen Monterey)
  • The ReGen HHW Collection Facility accepts select items from residents and small businesses in the ReGen service area free of charge; residents limited to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residents are limited to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted HHW includes household and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and building products such as paint, stain and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • ReGen accepts HHW only from residents and businesses in its service area, which includes the City of Monterey. 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.