Hazardous Waste Warning
LessIsMore.org works best in modern browsers like Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer 8. All are free to download and will greatly improve your internet experience. Wastes in this section are dangerous to you and the environment. Handle them carefully and dispose of them properly. Legally, households may not transport more than 15 gallons of wet or 125 pounds of dry hazardous materials. Read about the regulation.
Click below to check out our latest video:
Recycle Your Batteries at Curbside!
For those living in the unincorporated area of the County or in the cities of Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Solvang, you now have a new option for recycling your batteries. Simply follow the steps below:
- Place the batteries in a zip-top plastic bag
- Put the bag on top of (not inside) your recycling container on your normally scheduled recycling collection day
- For rechargeable batteries, please tape the ends of each battery with clear tape so that the battery poles are not exposed (you can skip this step with single-use batteries)
For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions below or contact your trash/recycling hauler.
Battery Types
There are many different sizes and types of batteries out there, so we know that the situation can get a little confusing. We split our batteries into three categories, Non-rechargeable Batteries, Rechargeable Batteries and Automotive Batteries. Here are the differences as explained by batteryrecycling.com.
Non-rechargeable Batteries
Also called single use batteries or primary batteries, these are most commonly used batteries right now. They get their power from a chemical reaction that is irreversible. They work better than rechargeable batteries in situations where a low amount of power is needed for a long time. Most of these are Alkaline Batteries in the standard sizes of AA, AAA, D-Cell, C-cell, and 9 volts. But there are some other exotic batteries that are included in this category.
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Alkaline and Carbon Zinc Batteries
- The most common type of single use battery.
- AA, AAA, D-Cell, C-Cell, 9-volt and button cells.
- Commonly used in Cameras, toys, watches and portable electronics.
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Lithium Batteries - Not Lithium Ion Batteries
- Button Cells, standard sizes and custom sizes too.
- Used in small and large portable electronics.
- Not to be confused with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
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Mercury Batteries
- AA, 9-volt, small cylinder and custom sizes.
- Commonly used in medical devices and military applications.
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Silver Oxide Batteries
- Small button cells, high-voltage small-cylinder, large custom sizes.
- Commonly used in watches, hearing aids, and aircraft.
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Zinc Air Batteries
- Button Cells, 9-volt and custom sizes.
- Commonly used in hearing aids and watches.
Visit our Non-Rechargeable Battery page for details about how to dispose of these batteries properly.
Rechargeable Batteries
The most common types of rechargeable battery on the market today is the Lithium Ion Battery in your phone or laptop, and standard sized NiCd and NiMH batteries that are rechargeable at home.
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Lead Acid Gel Batteries
- Rectangular, custom sizes in a hard plastic case.
- Commonly found in wheel chairs, scooters, golf carts, boats, RVs and some portable tools and instruments.
- These batteries are toxic and should be handled carefully.
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Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)Batteries
- Custom sizes in a hard plastic case, small-cylinder or button cells.
- Commonly used in cell phones, laptops, power tools and video cameras.
- Not to be confused with single use lithium batteries.
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Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries
- AA, AAA, C, D and other small cylinder batteries, wrapped cell packs and custom sizes.
- Commonly found in power tools, toys, R/C cars, medical devices and some laptops.
- These batteries are toxic and should never be incinerated.
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Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
- AA, AAA, C, D and other small cylinder batteries, wrapped cell packs and custom sizes.
- Commonly found in power tools, toys, R/C cars, cellphones and some laptops.
Visit our Rechargeable Battery page for details about how to dispose of these batteries properly.
Automotive and Wet Cell Batteries
Automotive batteries are a different type of battery entirely. They are called a wet cell battery because they contain a liquid. In the most common type of wet cell battery, the lead acid battery, the liquid is actually sulfuric acid. You can see why there would be special disposal needs.
Some sites that accept automotive batteries will also take other types of wet cell batteries as well, but make sure to call ahead for information.
For more information visit www.batteryrecycling.com/wet+cell+batteries/
Visit our Automotive Battery page for local sites that accept auto batteries and wet cell batteries for proper disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a household battery?
Household batteries are typically smaller batteries with a power of 9 volts or less. The most common type is the AA used for household gadgets like remote controls, small toys, and wireless kitchen appliances.
For the curbside collection program, do I need to tape the ends of all batteries?
No, common single-use alkaline batteries (with a power of 9V or below) do not require taping. However, some batteries, like most rechargeables, pose a fire risk during storage and transportation if the ends are exposed.
For the curbside program, why do I need to place batteries inside a clear bag?
Clear bags are required so the drivers of the collection trucks can easily identify the household batteries. The batteries are not mixed with recyclables but are placed in a separate bucket that is usually hanging from the side of the truck. The drivers place the batteries in the bucket before tipping the recycling bin.
For the curbside program, why do I need to place the bag ON TOP of the blue recycling bin?
Batteries are recycled separately from materials inside the recycling bin. Commingled recyclables should never include hazardous waste, such as household batteries or electronics.
Where to go
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All of Santa Barbara County (3)
- Best Buy —
- Safety Kleen — 5310 Overpass Road
- Stericycle —
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Carpinteria Area (6)
- Albertsons — 1018 Casitas Pass Road
- Carpinteria Valley Lumber Company — 915 El m Avenue
- Carpinteria Valley Lumber Company — 915 Elm Avenue
- City of Carpinteria ABOP Center — 5775 Carpinteria Ave
- CVS Pharmacy — 1036 Casitas Pass Road
- Rite Aid — 801 Linden Avenue
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Santa Barbara Area (16)
- *Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center — University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Building 565, Mesa Road
- Albertsons — 7127 Hollister Avenue
- Apple Store — 928 State Street
- Buena Tool Company — 433 Laguna Street
- CVS Pharmacy — 1282 Coast Village Road
- CVS Pharmacy — 1835 Cliff Drive
- CVS Pharmacy — 222 West Carrilllo Street
- CVS Pharmacy — 1109 State Street
- CVS Pharmacy — 2973 State Street
- CVS Pharmacy — 3939 State Street
- MarBorg Industries’ Recycling /ABOP Center — 132 Nopalitos Way
- Office Max — 219 East Gutierrez Street
- Rite Aid — 1976 Cliff Drive
- Rite Aid — 825 State Street
- Rite Aid — 35 South Milpas Street
- Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center — 415 East Gutierrez Street
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Goleta & UCSB Area (11)
- *Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center — University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Building 565, Mesa Road
- Albertsons — 5801 Calle Real
- Albertsons — 7127 Hollister Avenue
- Best Buy — 7090 Marketplace Drive
- CVS Pharmacy — 189 Turnpike Road
- CVS Pharmacy — 5875 Calle Real
- Home Depot — 6975 Marketplace Drive
- MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 20 David Love Place
- Rite Aid — 199 North Fairview Avenue
- Staples — 7015 Marketplace Drive
- Walgreens — 5900 Calle Real
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Santa Ynez Valley (6)
- *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
- Albertson’s — 222 East Highway 246
- CVS Pharmacy — 218 East Highway 246
- Harrison Hardware — 1051 Edison Street
- MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center – Buellton — 97 Commerce Drive
- Rite Aid — 616 Alamo Pintado Road
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Lompoc Valley & VAFB (11)
- AL&S, Incorporated — 101 South H Street
- City of Lompoc Fire Station No. 1 — 115 South "G" St
- City of Lompoc Fire Station No. 2 — 1100 North "D" St
- City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility — 1585 N. "V" St
- City of Lompoc Landfill (Scalehouse) — Avalon Rd (south end)
- CVS Pharmacy — 1317 North "H" Street
- Home Depot — 1701 East Ocean Avenue
- LampRecycling.com — 2200 Oden Avenue, #100
- Vandenberg Air Force Base Commissary — Building 14300, Wyoming Avenue
- Walgreens — 937 North "H" Street
- Walmart — 701 West Central Avenue
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Santa Maria Valley (21)
- Advanced Wireless — 708 West Betteravia Road
- Albertsons — 1120 E Clark Ave
- Albertsons #6348 — 2320 S Broadway
- Battery Systems, Inc. — 201 North Broadway
- Best Buy — 2326 South Bradley Rd
- City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste Facility — 2065 East Main Street
- CVS Pharmacy — 1830 North Broadway
- CVS Pharmacy — 733 East Main Street
- CVS Pharmacy — 2116 South Broadway
- CVS Pharmacy — 4852 South Bradley Road
- Fastenal — 2220 "A" Street
- Home Depot — 2120 South Bradley Road
- MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 1850 West Betteravia Road
- Oak Knolls Hardware — 1155 East Clark Avenue
- Office Depot — 1427 South Bradley Road
- Rite Aid — 345 Town Center West
- Rite Aid — 2405 South Broadway
- Sterling Communications — 2232 South Depot Street, Suite G
- Walgreens — 2399 South Broadway
- Walgreens — 707 North Broadway
- Walmart — 2220 South Bradley Road
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Cuyama Valley (1)
- *New Cuyama Transfer Station — 5073 Highway 166
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Outside Santa Barbara County (19)
- Asbury Environmental Services — 2100 North Alameda Street
- Best Buy —
- BGI — 527 North Rice Avenue
- C.J. Seto Support Services, LLC — 2300 Knoll Dr, Unit G
- Call2Recycle, Inc. — 1000 Parkwood Circle, Suite 200
- Clean Harbors, Inc. — 880 W Verdulera St
- Earth911.com – Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway
- Eco Lights Northwest Recycling Progam — 2200 6th Avenue South
- Greendisk — 1988 18th Avenue, Suite B
- Hewlett Packard —
- Home Depot —
- Industrial Waste Utilization — 5601 State Street
- LampRecycling.com — 2200 Ogden Avenue, #100
- Motorola (Race-to-Recycle Program) —
- Panasonic —
- Sharp —
- Stericycle, Incorporated —
- The Big Green Box — 125 East Commercial Street, Suite A
- Waste Management Incorporated, Think Green from Home —
Related Materials
- Green Franchises
- Product Stewardship
- Santa Ynez Valley Collection Event
- Outreach Materials
- Recycling Resource Guide
- Automotive Batteries
- Smoke Detectors
- Rechargeable Batteries
- Non-Rechargeable Batteries
- Computers & Peripherals Recycling
- Batteries Explained
- Virtual Waste Reduction Library
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