Battery Recycling in Somerville, MA

Rechargeable, button and lithium batteries go to Somerville hazardous waste days; alkaline batteries can go in the trash.

See all 2 options

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

2 ways to get rid of a battery in Somerville

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · SomervilleNo 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.
Book a pickup →
Somerville household hazardous waste days (DPW Yard)City service · SomervilleSomerville residentsConditions applyCost not listed
How it works
Monthly household hazardous waste drop-off at the DPW Yard, 1 Franey Rd., on the second Saturday of each month from April through November, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., plus occasional weekday evening events. Takes non-empty paint cans and rechargeable, button cell and lithium batteries, among other hazardous products. Alkaline batteries and dry, empty paint cans go in regular trash.
Cost & rules
- Rechargeable, button cell and lithium batteries; alkaline batteries go in the trash.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

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

More about batteries

Massachusetts rules

Vehicle batteries are banned from disposal in Massachusetts. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
Massachusetts' first waste ban took effect December 31, 1990 and kept lead acid batteries out of landfills and incinerators. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Waste Bans 101 newsletter (August 2022) (opens in new tab)

More Massachusetts rules (23)

Lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium (often rechargeable) batteries should not go in the trash: compressed in a truck they can cause fires. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
For all battery types, MassDEP says to tape both ends and find a battery collection. Beyond the Bin lists disposal locations. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
Bulging, leaking or recalled batteries need disposal right away. Put each in a plastic bag so it can't touch metal. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
Batteries do not belong in Massachusetts recycling bins. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Smart Recycling Guide (opens in new tab)
Massachusetts has no battery stewardship law yet: lithium-ion battery stewardship bill H.968 is "Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means". Source: Bill H.968 (194th General Court): An Act establishing a lithium-ion battery stewardship program (opens in new tab)
310 CMR 19.017 has banned lead batteries from disposal, incineration or transfer for disposal since December 31, 1990 (landfills/combustors) and April 1, 2000 (transfer facilities). Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
The EPR Commission (January 2026) recommended the Legislature create an EPR program for batteries, citing pending bills H.968 and S.556. Source: Extended Producer Responsibility Commission Final Report (January 15, 2026) (opens in new tab)
MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Source: MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab)
310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Source: 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab)
For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Source: MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab)
MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Source: MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab)
For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Source: Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Source: Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab)
Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Source: MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab)
Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Source: MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab)
Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Source: Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab)
MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)
Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. Source: Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (27)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

City of Somerville: Trash, Recycling & Yard Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Somerville
- Drop-off is open to residents only, not contractors. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Only alkaline batteries go in regular trash; rechargeable, button cell and lithium batteries must go to hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
MassDEP Waste Disposal Bans (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP introduced its first bans on landfilling and combustion of easy-to-recycle and toxic materials in 1990 and has phased in more since. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Materials banned from disposal or transfer for disposal in Massachusetts include cathode ray tubes, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, lead acid batteries, mattresses, recyclable paper and cardboard, textiles, white goods and whole tires (landfills only). Checked October 26, 2026.
- The MassDEP waste disposal bans are in section 19.017 of the Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations, 310 CMR 19.000. Checked October 26, 2026.
310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regulations (incl. 19.017 Waste Bans) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- 310 CMR 19.017(3): no person may dispose, transfer for disposal, or contract for disposal or transport of a restricted material except as the regulation allows, and violators may face MassDEP enforcement. Checked October 26, 2026.
- No landfill, transfer facility or combustion facility may accept a restricted material except to handle, recycle or compost it under a MassDEP-approved plan. Checked October 26, 2026.
- 310 CMR 19.017 has banned lead batteries from disposal, incineration or transfer for disposal since December 31, 1990 (landfills/combustors) and April 1, 2000 (transfer facilities). Checked October 26, 2026.
MassDEP Fact Sheet: What are Massachusetts Waste Bans? (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- For residents, most banned materials are collected through regular municipal collection or drop-off programs, while larger items such as CRTs or appliances may go through separate collections or drop-off events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP notes that vehicle batteries, tires and cathode ray tubes may in some cases be collected by retailers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents with private (non-municipal) trash collection should ask their service provider for recycling options. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Vehicle batteries are banned from disposal in Massachusetts. Checked October 26, 2026.
MassDEP: Waste Ban on Mattresses and Textiles, Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP generally does not issue waste-ban enforcement to individuals; it typically targets businesses, institutions (including municipalities) and haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Pillows, cushions and rugs are not "textiles" under the ban and may go in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
Mass.gov: How & Where to Recycle (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- For local recycling and household hazardous product collection days and hours, MassDEP tells residents to contact their community's recycling or solid waste coordinator or department. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household hazardous products (old chemicals, cleaners, paint, pesticides) don't belong in the recycling bin, the trash or the drain. Store them until a community HHW collection or take them to a local, regional or commercial facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Beyond the Bin Search Directory (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- MassDEP's Beyond the Bin directory lists outlets for items that can't go in the home recycling bin. MassDEP does not collect materials itself, listings are self-reported, and you should call ahead. Checked October 26, 2026.
MassDEP: Clothing and Textile Recovery (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Since November 2022, textiles (clothing, footwear, bedding, curtains, fabric) are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, even worn, torn or stained items. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Waste Bans 101 newsletter (August 2022) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Massachusetts' first waste ban took effect December 31, 1990 and kept lead acid batteries out of landfills and incinerators. Checked October 26, 2026.
Mass.gov: Safely Manage Household Hazardous Products (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium (often rechargeable) batteries should not go in the trash: compressed in a truck they can cause fires. Checked October 26, 2026.
- For all battery types, MassDEP says to tape both ends and find a battery collection. Beyond the Bin lists disposal locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Bulging, leaking or recalled batteries need disposal right away. Put each in a plastic bag so it can't touch metal. Checked October 26, 2026.
- MassDEP lists approved household hazardous product collection facilities. Call or check each facility's website for items, fees and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Questions about household hazardous products can go to MassDEP at 866-963-7287 or massdep.hhp@mass.gov. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recycle Smart MA (a MassDEP service): Smart Recycling Guide (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- Batteries do not belong in Massachusetts recycling bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
Bill H.968 (194th General Court): An Act establishing a lithium-ion battery stewardship program (opens in new tab) · The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Massachusetts has no battery stewardship law yet: lithium-ion battery stewardship bill H.968 is "Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means". Checked October 26, 2026.
Extended Producer Responsibility Commission Final Report (January 15, 2026) (opens in new tab) · Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
- The EPR Commission (January 2026) recommended the Legislature create an EPR program for batteries, citing pending bills H.968 and S.556. Checked October 26, 2026.

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

How we check our information