Battery Recycling in Bakersfield, CA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Kern County Public Works: Bena Landfill (Disposal Sites) (opens in new tab) · Kern County Public Works · effective July 1, 2026
  • Appliances, clothing and furniture are no charge for residential loads; commercial loads pay $14.35 per car, $32.28 per pickup. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Waste from outside Kern County is not acceptable at county disposal sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Batteries and old house paint are no charge but go to the Special Waste Facility, not the landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Old house paint, stain and varnish: no charge, use the Special Waste Facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Kern County Public Works: Residential Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Kern County Public Works
  • Permanent facilities and collection events are for Kern County residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted: alkaline, lead-acid, rechargeable and button batteries; electronics (TVs, cell phones, computers, microwave ovens); latex and oil paint. 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.