Battery Recycling in Los Banos, CA
Drop household batteries free at Los Banos City Hall (520 J St), the library (1312 S 7th St) or the community center (645 7th St), or at the Billy Wright Landfill.
See all 6 optionsChecked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries before transport.
- Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and tell the operator.
- Ask which battery types are accepted; car batteries often go somewhere different.
California rules
- California law prohibits putting old batteries in the trash or in household recycling bins. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
- Common household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt and button cells, single-use or rechargeable) can be hazardous waste when discarded. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
More California rules (16)
- Store old batteries in a safe, dry place away from flammables and tape over the terminals to avoid fires. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
- Many local governments and retailers accept old batteries; DTSC says to contact your local waste service provider. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
- Retailers that sell rechargeable batteries must accept consumers' used rechargeable batteries; take-back of other batteries such as alkalines is voluntary. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
- CalRecycle lists all batteries, rechargeable and single-use, plus lead-acid car batteries, as banned from the trash, recycling and organics bins. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25215.2 (lead-acid battery dealers) (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25215.2 (lead-acid battery dealers) (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25216.1 (spent battery collection) (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
- Automotive-type lead-acid batteries are not universal waste; they fall under separate rules. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25215.1 (lead-acid battery definitions) (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- 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. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Source: CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (29)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
- Certain HHW is taken during normal hours at no cost from Merced County residents only, not businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Regularly accepted HHW is taken during normal hours at both Highway 59 and Billy Wright landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Automotive batteries and household/rechargeable batteries (limit 40 lbs a day) are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority: Battery Recycling (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
- Los Banos battery drop-off sites: City Hall (520 J St), Library (1312 S 7th St) and Community Center (645 7th St), all 93635. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents may take batteries to the designated community disposal sites for no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Collection hours match each site's business hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
- No damaged, recalled or car batteries, and nothing over 11 lbs, at community sites. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Tape each terminal; clear plastic, zip-seal and bubble bags are accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
- Certain HHW is accepted during normal hours at no cost from Merced County residents only; not from businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household and rechargeable batteries: limit 40 lbs per day; tape terminals of rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Disposal Rates (opens in new tab) · Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority
- Highway 59 Landfill: 7040 North Highway 59, Merced, CA 95348; Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 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.
How we check our information