Seattle Public Utilities
You shouldn’t throw batteries in the trash anyhow but now it is against the rules in Seattle. City officials are scrambling to get the word out after Seattle Public Utilities quietly put new rules into place banning batteries from the garbage to start 2024 to address an increase in dangerous fires, environmental, and cost concerns.
The new rules ban trash disposal of common household batteries, more powerful batteries for vehicles and tools, and embedded batteries found in electronics, toys, computers, monitors, and e-bikes,
It’s an honor system.
“There isn’t any way for our staff to do that practically and collect all the city’s garbage and recycling,” McKenna Morrigan, policy advisory for SPU, said on KING 5. “So we’re really counting on residents and businesses to do their part.”
Seattle residents do pretty OK with honor though sometimes our good intentions get the best of us. CHS reported here on the ongoing problem of “aspirational recycling” in the city as residents often stuff things that rat up the system into recycling bins in hopes that workers will sort it out.
The issue around battery fires is growing.
“In the last two years, the Seattle Fire Department has responded to 79 lithium-ion battery fires, often involving e-scooters, e-bikes and portable electronics,” Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said in a statement. “This is a growing fire safety concern across the nation as consumers purchase more items with lithium-ion batteries. Fires involving batteries can start and spread quickly, so properly storing, charging, and disposing of batteries becomes key to preventing fires where injuries and property loss could occur.”
CHS reported here last spring on a 10th Ave E apartment fire blamed on a scooter battery.
As for how you should properly deal with your old batteries and electronics, the city has provided some guidance on disposal options:
How to properly dispose of batteries and electronics
Battery Disposal Options:
- Free drop off: SPU North or South Transfer Stations, Household Hazardous Waste Management facilities, or partner retail locations listed on Call2Recycle.org or E-cycle WA
- If a battery is damaged or defective, drop off at a Household Hazardous Waste Management Facility (free of charge)
- At home: request a Special Item Pickup ($5 charge)
Electronics Disposal Options:
- Free drop off: SPU North Transfer Station or E-cycle WA locations
- At home: request a Special Item Pickup ($20 for Special Items box, $30 for TVs larger than 2 ft.)
Special items pickups are free for Utility Discount Program customers.
Seattle’s increasingly complicated rules around garbage and recycling have also created opportunity. CHS reported here on local startup Ridwell’s growth providing subscription recycling services. The company says it accepts basic household batteries for disposal.
With the city options and options like Ridwell, used batteries typically end up with processors who separate out any dangerous chemicals for storage or disposal while reusing the metals and materials in things like silverware or pots and pans, or, yes, more batteries.
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