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Battery Recycling in Arcata, CA

Arcata residents can drop household batteries at Hensel's Ace Hardware (884 9th St) or Sunny Brae Ace Hardware; car batteries go to HWMA in Eureka.

See all 3 options

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

3 ways to get rid of a battery in Arcata

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ArcataNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $75.00
    How it works

    Book online, set out your battery and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.

    Book a pickup →

  2. HWMA residential battery & lightbulb drop-off sites (Humboldt County)County service · Humboldt CountyHumboldt County residentsCost not listed
    How it works

    HWMA lists stores and city halls that take residents' batteries and lightbulbs: in Eureka, Pierson's Building Center (4100 Broadway St) and Shafer's Ace Hardware (2520 Harris St and 2760 E St); in Arcata, Hensel's Ace Hardware (884 9th St) and Sunny Brae Ace Hardware (86 Sunnybrae Center); plus Blue Lake, McKinleyville, Ferndale and Rio Dell sites. Large quantity, business or automotive batteries go to the HWMA hazardous waste facility.

    Cost & rules
    • Household batteries from residents only; no business or automotive batteries.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  3. Humboldt Waste Management Authority – Hawthorne Street Transfer Station & Household Hazardous Waste FacilityDrop-off · outside Arcata · 1059 West Hawthorne St, EurekaOpen to everyoneCost not listed
    Where

    1059 West Hawthorne St
    Eureka, CA 95501

    Hours

    Transfer station Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; hazardous waste (residents) Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–3 p.m., closed 12–1 p.m. and Sundays

    Cost & rules

    Batteries

    AcceptedCost unknown

    Fees aren’t recorded. Don’t assume drop-off is free.

    • Limit: Up to 125 lb of small household batteries; lead-acid auto batteries also accepted.

    Full details & sourcesOfficial site (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries before transport.
  2. Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and tell the operator.
  3. Ask which battery types are accepted; car batteries often go somewhere different.
More about batteries

California rules

More California rules (16)
Where this information comes from (24)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Humboldt Waste Management Authority: Hours (opens in new tab) · Humboldt Waste Management Authority
    • The hazardous waste facility closes for lunch 12–1 p.m. and on Sundays; businesses by appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Humboldt Waste Management Authority: Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Humboldt Waste Management Authority
    • Lead-acid auto batteries and up to 125 pounds of small household batteries are accepted at the Hawthorne Street hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Humboldt Waste Management Authority: Solid Waste (fees) (opens in new tab) · Humboldt Waste Management Authority
    • Solid waste costs $13.00 minimum (up to 120 lb) or $216.47 per ton. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Humboldt Waste Management Authority: Alt. Collection Sites (batteries & lightbulbs) (opens in new tab) · Humboldt Waste Management Authority
    • These battery and lightbulb drop-off locations are for residential customers only; large-quantity, business or automotive batteries go to the HWMA facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Eureka sites: Pierson's Building Center, 4100 Broadway St; Shafer's Ace Hardware, 2520 Harris St and 2760 E St. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Arcata sites: Hensel's Ace Hardware, 884 9th St; Sunny Brae Ace Hardware, 86 Sunnybrae Center. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • California law prohibits putting old batteries in the trash or in household recycling bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Common household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt and button cells, single-use or rechargeable) can be hazardous waste when discarded. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Store old batteries in a safe, dry place away from flammables and tape over the terminals to avoid fires. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many local governments and retailers accept old batteries; DTSC says to contact your local waste service provider. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Retailers that sell rechargeable batteries must accept consumers' used rechargeable batteries; take-back of other batteries such as alkalines is voluntary. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 (AB 2440) requires battery producers to set up a stewardship program for collecting and recycling covered loose and easily removable batteries; it repeals the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act on January 1, 2027. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Automotive-type lead-acid batteries are not universal waste; they fall under separate rules. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
    • CalRecycle lists all batteries, rechargeable and single-use, plus lead-acid car batteries, as banned from the trash, recycling and organics bins. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • California Health and Safety Code section 25215.2 (lead-acid battery dealers) (opens in new tab) · California Legislative Information
    • Lead-acid battery dealers must accept used starting, motive-power and vehicle auxiliary lead-acid batteries without charging a fee, but need not take more than six per person per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Buyers of a replacement lead-acid battery pay a nonrefundable $2 California battery fee and a refundable deposit, credited if a used battery is returned at purchase or within 45 days with the receipt. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • California Health and Safety Code section 25215.1 (lead-acid battery definitions) (opens in new tab) · California Legislative Information
    • Under the dealer rules, a lead-acid battery weighs over five kilograms, is mainly lead and sulfuric acid, and has a capacity of six volts or more. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • California Health and Safety Code section 25216.1 (spent battery collection) (opens in new tab) · California Legislative Information
    • A household hazardous waste facility may refuse spent batteries beyond its storage capacity and may charge a fee limited to its handling, storage and disposal costs for them. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
    • It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
    • CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

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