Proper Battery Disposal

Regular household (alkaline and zinc carbon) batteries should be disposed of in regular trash. Rechargeable batteries, as well as lithium, silver oxide, and mercury batteries, should be dropped off at an Arlington fire station or the County HHM Facility.

Background from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), also known as single use or general purpose batteries, are typically used in flashlights, toys and other household items. These can be disposed in the trash.

Rechargeable Batteries  

Rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries that are used in digital cameras and other high-tech devices and lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries used in laptops and mobile devices. Never place these types of batteries in any of the curbside collection carts because they can overheat, explode and cause fires. Rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at the fire stations listed below and Arlington County’s Household HazMat (HHM) facility.

Small “Button Cell” Batteries

Small “button cell” batteries, commonly found in wristwatches, hearing aids and calculators, contain silver oxide and mercury and must be disposed of carefully at a special drop-off location like a fire house or HHM facility. If a professional retailer replaces this type of battery they will
usually dispose of the old one for you. Do not place "button cell" batteries in the trash or a curbside recycling cart. 

Battery Collection Points

Fire Stations Accepting Rechargeable, Lithium, Silver Oxide and Mercury Batteries

Automotive and Similar Size Batteries

Car and similar batteries can be collected with curbside recycling ("Residential Curbside Collections") or dropped off at the County HHM Facility.