Battery Recycling in Scarborough, ME
Button and rechargeable batteries are accepted free at the yearly household hazardous waste days open to Scarborough residents; Riverside Recycling takes batteries for a fee year-round.
See all 5 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.
Maine rules
- Businesses may not put rechargeable batteries in the trash. Source: Maine DEP: Battery Recycling (opens in new tab)
- There is no free recycling program for single-use (alkaline) batteries in Maine; small quantities may legally go in household trash. Source: Maine DEP: Battery Recycling (opens in new tab)
More Maine rules (4)
- Button cell batteries should not go in the trash; recycle them or take them to a household hazardous waste collection. Source: Maine DEP: Battery Recycling (opens in new tab)
- In 2025 DEP sought public input on extending producer responsibility to all batteries not covered by the existing law. Source: Maine DEP: Battery Recycling (opens in new tab)
- A 2025 law (38 M.R.S. §1617) will require battery producers to join an approved battery stewardship program, starting 180 days after the first plan is approved. Source: Maine Revised Statutes Title 38 §1617: Battery stewardship program (opens in new tab)
- Lead-acid batteries may not be buried, burned or dumped. Source: Maine Revised Statutes Title 38 §1604: Lead-acid batteries (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (19)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Maine DEP: Battery Recycling (opens in new tab) · Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Call2Recycle runs a free rechargeable-battery recycling program with sites at many transfer stations and some hardware stores. Checked October 26, 2026.
- It takes all rechargeable battery types, cell phones and small sealed lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Households may use Call2Recycle free of charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Businesses may not put rechargeable batteries in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
- There is no free recycling program for single-use (alkaline) batteries in Maine; small quantities may legally go in household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Button cell batteries should not go in the trash; recycle them or take them to a household hazardous waste collection. Checked October 26, 2026.
- In 2025 DEP sought public input on extending producer responsibility to all batteries not covered by the existing law. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Maine Revised Statutes Title 38 §1617: Battery stewardship program (opens in new tab) · Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes
- A 2025 law (38 M.R.S. §1617) will require battery producers to join an approved battery stewardship program, starting 180 days after the first plan is approved. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Maine DEP: What can I recycle, and where? (opens in new tab) · Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Return your old car battery to the store where you buy the new one to get $10 back or credit. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Maine Revised Statutes Title 38 §1604: Lead-acid batteries (opens in new tab) · Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes
- Stores selling lead-acid batteries must accept used ones, at least as many as the new batteries bought. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Lead-acid batteries may not be buried, burned or dumped. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Riverside Recycling: FAQ (opens in new tab) · Riverside Recycling (CPRC Management, for the City of Portland)
- Riverside Recycling is open to the public; Portland residency is not required and commercial customers are welcome. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Riverside Recycling: Items We Accept (opens in new tab) · Riverside Recycling (CPRC Management, for the City of Portland)
- Riverside takes TVs, computers, printers, copiers, cell phones and batteries any day it is open; all electronics carry fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Riverside Recycling: Pricing (opens in new tab) · Riverside Recycling (CPRC Management, for the City of Portland) · effective October 1, 2026
- Automotive/lead-acid batteries cost $10 each; small batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, button cell) $1 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Riverside Recycling: Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Riverside Recycling (CPRC Management, for the City of Portland)
- The HHW program is open to all Maine residents disposing of household hazardous waste from their residence; no business waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Town of Scarborough: Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Town of Scarborough
- Annual HHW drop-off days in 2026: Scarborough May 9 at 20 Washington Ave; Saco July 11; Biddeford September 12, each 8 a.m.–noon. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Scarborough residents may use all three HHW days at no cost with proof of residency. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days 2026 (Scarborough, Saco, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach) (opens in new tab) · Town of Scarborough
- The HHW days require proof of residency and charge no fees. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Button and rechargeable batteries are accepted. 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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