Battery Recycling in Seattle, WA

Batteries are banned from Seattle garbage. Household and car batteries go free to the North or South Seattle hazardous waste facilities and the North Transfer Station's Recycling and Reuse Building; SPU also does one free battery pickup a year ($5 after that).

See all 7 options

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

7 ways to get rid of a battery in Seattle

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

All 7 Free 6 Drop-off 5 Services & pickup 2

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · SeattleNo 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 →
North Seattle Household Hazardous Waste FacilityDrop-off · 12550 Stone Ave N, SeattleKing County residentsFree
Where
12550 Stone Ave N
Seattle, WA 98133
Hours
Sunday through Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost & rules
Batteries
AcceptedFree (documented)
Up to 5 vehicle batteries per trip.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
South Seattle Household Hazardous Waste FacilityDrop-off · 8100 2nd Ave S, SeattleKing County residentsFree
Where
8100 2nd Ave S
Seattle, WA 98108
Hours
Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost & rules
Batteries
AcceptedFree (documented)
Up to 5 vehicle batteries per trip.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
North Transfer StationDrop-off · 1350 N 34th St, SeattleSeattle residentsFree
Where
1350 N 34th St
Seattle, WA 98103
Hours
8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily; 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month
Cost & rules
Batteries
AcceptedFree (documented)
Vehicle, rechargeable, alkaline, lithium and button batteries, in the Recycling and Reuse Building.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
SPU Special Item PickupCity service · SeattleSeattle residentsFree
How it works
Seattle Public Utilities collects large and hard-to-dispose items from SPU customers on the next garbage day after scheduling (seattle.gov/SpecialItems or 206-684-3000). Large items are $31 each ($39.25 for pre-2005 CFC fridges/freezers); one Special Item Box and one battery pickup a year are free.
Cost & rules
Fees
Extra battery pickup $5
- Household batteries only (no car, e-scooter or e-bike batteries); tape the ends. One free pickup a year, then $5.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Factoria Hazardous Waste Drop-offDrop-off · outside Seattle · 13800 SE 32nd St, BellevueKing County residentsFree
Where
13800 SE 32nd St
Bellevue, WA 98005
Hours
Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost & rules
Batteries
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit 5 vehicle or marine batteries per load per day.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
South County Hazardous Waste Drop-offDrop-off · outside Seattle · 35101 W Valley Hwy S, AlgonaKing County residentsFree
Where
35101 W Valley Hwy S
Algona, WA 98001
Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Wednesdays) Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost & rules
Batteries
AcceptedFree (documented)
Limit 5 vehicle or marine batteries per load per day.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)

Fees
Extra battery pickup	$5

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

Washington rules

Until the program starts, Ecology points people to The Battery Network locator or 1-800-RECYCLE for battery recycling. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
Ecology tells households to take batteries to a Battery Network drop-off location or a household hazardous waste site. Source: Ecology: Batteries (common dangerous waste guidance) (opens in new tab)

More Washington rules (17)

Vehicle (lead) batteries may only be disposed of by delivery to a lead-acid battery seller, a party authorized by Ecology, or a secondary lead smelter. Source: Chapter 70A.205 RCW: Solid waste management, reduction and recycling (opens in new tab)
Solid waste disposal sites may not knowingly accept used vehicle batteries for disposal unless authorized. Source: Chapter 70A.205 RCW: Solid waste management, reduction and recycling (opens in new tab)
Vehicle battery retailers must accept used vehicle batteries at purchase, at least one for each new battery bought. Source: Chapter 70A.205 RCW: Solid waste management, reduction and recycling (opens in new tab)
Retailers must post a notice that it is illegal to put a motor vehicle battery in your garbage. Source: Chapter 70A.205 RCW: Solid waste management, reduction and recycling (opens in new tab)
Each retail vehicle battery sale includes a core charge of at least $5. Source: Chapter 70A.205 RCW: Solid waste management, reduction and recycling (opens in new tab)
A 2023 Washington law requires battery producers to create a statewide collection system for portable and medium-format batteries. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
Collection sites under the battery stewardship program begin taking portable batteries July 1, 2027 and medium-format batteries January 1, 2029; it is not operating yet. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
Ecology describes the 2023 law as creating a free recycling program for batteries. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
Ecology took comments July 23 to August 24, 2026 on a proposed battery stewardship plan from The Battery Network. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
Program collection sites will only take loose batteries, not batteries that cannot easily be removed from products. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
The program will not take vehicle and other wet cell batteries, lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds, or non-removable batteries. Source: Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab)
The stewardship plan must collect all covered battery chemistries and brands on a free, continuous, convenient basis. Source: Chapter 70A.555 RCW: Batteries, environmental stewardship (opens in new tab)
Local governments in Washington must plan for moderate risk waste (household hazardous waste plus small-business hazardous waste) in their area. Source: Ecology: Moderate risk waste (opens in new tab)
State law allows MRW in municipal garbage, but many local governments collect it separately and some ban it from regular garbage; check local rules first. Source: Ecology: Moderate risk waste (opens in new tab)
Ecology says to learn what can legally go in the garbage in your area and whether your jurisdiction has an MRW facility. Source: Ecology: Moderate risk waste (opens in new tab)
Ecology points to MRW facilities, events and take-back programs such as E-Cycle Washington, PaintCare, LightRecycle and Safe Medication Return. Source: Ecology: Moderate risk waste (opens in new tab)
Ecology keeps a county-by-county list of moderate risk waste disposal sites and services. Source: Ecology: Find a moderate risk waste disposal site (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (33)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

King County Hazardous Waste Management Program: Disposal facilities (opens in new tab) · King County Hazardous Waste Management Program
- King County residents can take household hazardous waste to any collection site or the Wastemobile with no appointment and no fee. Checked October 26, 2026.
Guide to King County recycling and transfer facilities 2026 (PDF) (opens in new tab) · King County Solid Waste Division
- Vehicle, marine, rechargeable and button batteries are accepted at the Factoria and South County hazardous waste drop-offs only; 5 vehicle/marine batteries per load per day; $0. Checked October 26, 2026.
Seattle Public Utilities: Where to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Seattle Public Utilities
- Seattle's two household hazardous waste facilities are free for all King County residents; no appointment needed. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The Seattle transfer stations are available for Seattle residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
Seattle Public Utilities: Where Does It Go? tool (item data feed) (opens in new tab) · Seattle Public Utilities
- Batteries can be dropped off at a city transfer station or household hazardous waste facility for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Up to 5 vehicle batteries per trip can go to a household hazardous waste facility for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
Seattle Public Utilities: North Transfer Station Features (opens in new tab) · Seattle Public Utilities
- The North station's Recycling and Reuse Building takes listed items at no charge, including flattened cardboard, scrap metal and batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Accepted: flattened cardboard, scrap metal, and vehicle, rechargeable, alkaline, lithium and button batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
Seattle Public Utilities: Ban on Batteries and Electronics in Garbage (opens in new tab) · Seattle Public Utilities
- SPU Director's Rule SW-404 bans batteries and covered electronics (TVs, monitors, computers, tablets) from the garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
Seattle Public Utilities: Special Item Pickup (opens in new tab) · Seattle Public Utilities
- The utility account holder must request the pickup; apartment residents and renters must ask the property manager or owner. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Apartment residents and renters cannot schedule; the person responsible for the SPU bill must. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Customers get two free pickups per year: one Special Item Box and one battery pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Battery pickups take AA, AAA, C, D, button and removable rechargeable batteries (not car, e-scooter or e-bike batteries); extra pickups after the free one are $5. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Additional battery pickups after the free one are $5. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ecology: Battery stewardship (opens in new tab) · Washington State Department of Ecology
- A 2023 Washington law requires battery producers to create a statewide collection system for portable and medium-format batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Collection sites under the battery stewardship program begin taking portable batteries July 1, 2027 and medium-format batteries January 1, 2029; it is not operating yet. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ecology describes the 2023 law as creating a free recycling program for batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ecology took comments July 23 to August 24, 2026 on a proposed battery stewardship plan from The Battery Network. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Until the program starts, Ecology points people to The Battery Network locator or 1-800-RECYCLE for battery recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Program collection sites will only take loose batteries, not batteries that cannot easily be removed from products. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The program will not take vehicle and other wet cell batteries, lead-acid batteries over 11 pounds, or non-removable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
Chapter 70A.555 RCW: Batteries, environmental stewardship (opens in new tab) · Washington State Legislature
- The stewardship plan must collect all covered battery chemistries and brands on a free, continuous, convenient basis. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ecology: Batteries (common dangerous waste guidance) (opens in new tab) · Washington State Department of Ecology
- Ecology tells households to take batteries to a Battery Network drop-off location or a household hazardous waste site. Checked October 26, 2026.
Chapter 70A.205 RCW: Solid waste management, reduction and recycling (opens in new tab) · Washington State Legislature
- Vehicle (lead) batteries may only be disposed of by delivery to a lead-acid battery seller, a party authorized by Ecology, or a secondary lead smelter. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Solid waste disposal sites may not knowingly accept used vehicle batteries for disposal unless authorized. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Vehicle battery retailers must accept used vehicle batteries at purchase, at least one for each new battery bought. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Retailers must post a notice that it is illegal to put a motor vehicle battery in your garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Each retail vehicle battery sale includes a core charge of at least $5. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ecology: Moderate risk waste (opens in new tab) · Washington State Department of Ecology
- Local governments in Washington must plan for moderate risk waste (household hazardous waste plus small-business hazardous waste) in their area. Checked October 26, 2026.
- State law allows MRW in municipal garbage, but many local governments collect it separately and some ban it from regular garbage; check local rules first. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ecology says to learn what can legally go in the garbage in your area and whether your jurisdiction has an MRW facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Ecology points to MRW facilities, events and take-back programs such as E-Cycle Washington, PaintCare, LightRecycle and Safe Medication Return. Checked October 26, 2026.
Ecology: Find a moderate risk waste disposal site (opens in new tab) · Washington State Department of Ecology
- Ecology keeps a county-by-county list of moderate risk waste disposal sites and services. 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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