District Residents:

Safely and Compliantly Recycling Damaged and Defective Batteries

The Zero Waste Omnibus Amendment Act of 2020 established battery stewardship requirements providing new options for residents to safely and conveniently recycle their used batteries. The law also requires manufacturers of covered batteries who sell in the District to fund the collection and recycling of primary (single-use) and rechargeable batteries, including damaged lithium-ion batteries.

Collection sites participating in the Call2Recycle program are provided damaged lithium battery shipping kits. District residents may bring their damaged or defective batteries to any participating drop-off site for proper handling, shipping, and recycling.

What is a damaged battery?

• Swelling
• Discoloration of the battery casing
• Unusual smells or corrosion
• Loose or damaged wires
• Other obvious signs of damage

Damaged batteries are considered a greater risk to transportation than non-damaged lithium batteries (Reference – US DOT PHSMA Advisory).

What do I do if I have a damaged battery?

1. Immediately package the battery in a non-flammable material such as sand or cat litter.
2. Help avoid a safety hazard such as a spark or fire: Do not place these batteries in the trash.
3. Search Call2Recycle’s Locator for the nearest participating District drop-off site.

What happens next?

Once dropped off, the damaged battery will be handled according to Call2Recycle’s strict safety and compliance protocols. Damaged battery shipping kits ensure proper packaging and shipping for safe recycling.