Recycling Your Batteries

Preferred Packaging

Batteries can be packaged in a box, envelope, enclosed in a ziplock bag, or taped together, etc. Please package your batteries according to their correct category.

Battery Category  Includes the following types:
Corroded Batteries All batteries that are broken, leaking, or corroded. (FAQs Question #7)
Dry Cell Batteries Alkaline, Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Iron, Zinc Air, and Carbon Zinc
Rechargeable Batteries Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Lead Acid (Pb/acid), and Lithium Ion (Li-ion)***Be sure to tape terminal ends!!*** (FAQs Question #6)
Lead Acid & Wet Cell Batteries Sealed Lead Acid, Gel Cell, and UPS
Mercury & Silver Batteries Mercuric Oxide, Button Cells, Silver (II) Oxide, and Alkaline with Mercury
Lithium & Magnesium Batteries Lithium (Li) Metal, Lithium Button Cells, and Magnesium (Mg)***Be sure to tape terminal ends!!*** (FAQs Question #6)
Unknown Batteries Batteries your are unable to identify

**NOTE: The type of battery should be labeled on the battery.

On Campus

Drop off your batteries at any battery bin:

On Campus 2300 Delaware & Long Marine Lab
battery pail image Long Marine lab battery pail image

Before dropping off your batteries, please properly package your batteries.

Click below for battery bin locations:

battery bin icon

For further information please contact the Recycling Office at (831) 459-3671.

On-Campus Housing

Drop off your batteries at any multibin or 1 gallon bucket located in the college mail rooms. You can also drop off your cell phones, calculators, ink cartridges, and old/broken cds at these multibins.

multibin image

For further information please contact Housing Conservation Services at (831) 466-1825.

Off-Campus UCSC Locations

The following locations are serviced by the Santa Cruz City Battery Recycling Program, not the UCSC Battery Recycling Program.

  • Laureate Court   
  • McPherson   
  • Silicon Valley Center   
  • UCSC University Inn   
  • University Business Park   
  • University Town Center   
  • 2155 Delaware Avenue   
  • 2901 Mission St   
  • Swift Street Facilities   
  • Hagar Court and Hagar Meadow   
  • Cardiff Terrace 

Please see the Santa Cruz City Battery Program information below for the location of battery drop-off points.

Off-Campus Residents

Santa Cruz City Residents 

There are several locations within the City of Santa Cruz to drop off batteries.

  • City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department - 809 Center St, Rm 201   
  • City of Santa Cruz Customer Service - 809 Center St, Rm 101   
  • Louden Nelson Community Center - 301 Center St   
  • City Hall - Locust Street Parking lot Trash Enclosure area (Saturdays only)   
  • Resource Recovery Facility - 605 Dimeo Lane 

For more information on recycling in the City of Santa Cruz please check out this Excel file or visit their website.

County Residents

Santa Cruz County residents may put their batteries in a sealed clear plastic bag and place next to Garbage Carts for collection.

For more information on recycling in the County of Santa Cruz please check out this Excel file or visit their website.

City of Capitola residents: Website

City of Scotts Valley residents: PDF

City of Watsonville residents: Website

Links

Main Battery Recycling Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Battery Bin Locations

UCSC Recycling Program

Recycling in the City of Santa Cruz

Recycling in the County of Santa Cruz

E-Waste Recycling Program