Battery Recycling in Santa Cruz, CA

Household batteries are accepted free at the City Recycling Center at 605 Dimeo Lane, Monday–Saturday 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

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

2 ways to get rid of a battery in Santa Cruz

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

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Santa CruzNo 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 →
City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility & Recycling Center (Dimeo Lane)City service · Santa CruzSanta Cruz residentsFree
How it works
City-run landfill, recycling center and Saturday HHW drop-off at 605 Dimeo Lane (3 miles north of the city limits off Highway 1), open Monday–Saturday 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. for City of Santa Cruz residents and businesses with proof of residency; North Coast county residents pay a 28% surcharge.
Official page (opens in new tab)

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.

More about batteries

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 (22)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

City of Santa Cruz: Resource Recovery Facility (Landfill) (opens in new tab) · City of Santa Cruz Public Works, Resource Recovery
- The RRF is for material generated within Santa Cruz city limits and is open to city residents and businesses with proper ID. Checked October 26, 2026.
- North Coast County residents pay stated rates plus a 28% surcharge. Checked October 26, 2026.
City of Santa Cruz: Recycling Center (opens in new tab) · City of Santa Cruz Public Works, Resource Recovery
- Accepted free at the Recycling Center: household batteries, scrap metal, mattresses and box springs (limit 5 per visit), computers and monitors, TVs and small electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.
County of Santa Cruz: Household Hazardous Waste Program (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Cruz Public Works
- HHW drop-off is free for residents of unincorporated Santa Cruz County and the cities of Scotts Valley, Capitola and Santa Cruz, with proof of residency. 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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