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What this is: Get Rid Map is a free, independent directory of official local disposal rules. We don't haul anything or sell removal services; every fact links to its source. About this directory · All sources

Rules change: confirm with your city before acting.

🔋 Hazardous waste · Batteries

How to get rid of batteries in Washington

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The answer for Washington

Coming in Washington State: effective July 1, 2027, or earlier if an approved battery stewardship plan starts first, a person may not place covered batteries in waste containers for disposal at incinerators, waste to energy facilities, or landfills.[1]

Independent guide, not a government website. Confirm with your city or the linked official source before acting; rules and fees change.

STATE What to do in Washington

Battery rules that apply in Washington

  • Outside California and Washington, DC, in most communities, alkaline and zinc carbon batteries can be safely put in household trash, but EPA recommends sending them to battery recyclers.[2]
  • To prevent fires, tape battery terminals or place batteries in separate plastic bags, and never put lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling bins.[2]
  • EPA determined that most lithium-ion batteries are likely to be hazardous wastes when disposed of because they may catch fire or explode.[3]
  • Do not put button-cell, coin, or lithium single-use batteries in the trash or municipal recycling bins.[2]
  • Return lead-acid batteries to a battery retailer or household hazardous waste collection; do not put lead-acid batteries in the trash.[2]
  • Lead-acid batteries may contain up to 18 pounds of lead and about one gallon of corrosive sulfuric acid.[2]
  • Call2Recycle is now The Battery Network; its drop-off locator line is 1-877-2-RECYCLE.[4]
  • The Battery Network recycles rechargeable batteries (lithium-ion, Ni-Cd, NiMH, small sealed lead acid) and single-use batteries such as alkaline, lithium primary and coin or button cells.[5]

City guides in Washington

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These are the state battery rules we have sourced so far:

Sources (8 official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026)

  1. RCW 70A.555.140, “General battery disposal and collection requirements.” https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70A.555.140. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Used Household Batteries.” https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-household-batteries. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.” https://www.epa.gov/hw/lithium-ion-battery-recycling. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  4. The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle), “Home.” https://www.call2recycle.org/. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  5. The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle), “What to Recycle.” https://www.call2recycle.org/what-can-i-recycle/. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  6. CalRecycle (State of California), “Wastes Banned From the Trash.” https://calrecycle.ca.gov/homehazwaste/info/. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  7. D.C. Code § 8-771.09, “Disposal ban.” https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/8-771.09. Checked Oct 21, 2026.
  8. 415 ILCS 205, “Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act.” https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=4547&ChapterID=36. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Note: the Illinois General Assembly site sometimes shows a security error. If it does, cross-check the current statute text before relying on it.

Each numbered citation [n] above links to its source. Last checked Oct 21, 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you set anything out.