Battery Recycling in Elizabeth, NJ

Car, nickel-cadmium and rechargeable batteries go to the Elizabeth Recycling Center; alkaline batteries can go in the trash.

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

4 ways to get rid of a battery in Elizabeth

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

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CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · ElizabethNo 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 →
Union County Household Hazardous Waste drop-off eventsCounty service · Union CountyUnion County residentsConditions applyFree
How it works
Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning drive-up household hazardous waste events, held several times a year (2026: April 25 and October 25 at UC VoTech, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains; June 7 at UCNJ, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford; August 8 at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union), 9 a.m.–2 p.m., rain or shine. Accepts oil-based paint, batteries (no alkaline), automobile tires (8 per household, no rims) and other household chemicals. Latex paint is not accepted. Hotline 908-654-9889.
Cost & rules
- Rechargeable, button-cell and other non-alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries are not accepted (they can go in the trash). Bag each battery or tape the terminals.
- Held on set dates a few times a year.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Elizabeth Recycling Center (523 Trenton Avenue)City service · ElizabethElizabeth residentsConditions applyCost not listed
How it works
City recycling drop-off center at 523 Trenton Avenue, Elizabeth (near the Animal Shelter, across from Mattano Park), open seven days a week: Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat–Sun to 4 p.m. Takes TVs, monitors and computers, tires, car and rechargeable batteries, motor and cooking oil (residents, 5 gallons), fluorescent bulbs, Styrofoam and plastic film. Recycling information: (908) 820-4150.
Cost & rules
- Nickel-cadmium, car and rechargeable batteries. Alkaline batteries go in household garbage.
Official page (opens in new tab)
New Jersey lead acid battery retailer take-back (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-199 et seq.)State program · New JerseyOpen to everyoneConditions applyCost not listed
How it works
Under the 1991 lead acid battery law, every retailer of vehicle, aviation or marine lead acid batteries must accept a used one from the public during business hours when it is offered in exchange with the sale of a new battery, and must post a notice saying so. Lead acid batteries may not be thrown away.
Cost & rules
- Vehicle, aviation and marine lead acid batteries only.
- The store must take a used lead acid battery during business hours when you offer it in exchange with the purchase of a new one. The law does not say whether there is a charge.

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

New Jersey rules

A county plan may require municipalities to add used dry cell batteries as a designated recyclable material. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
A used lead acid battery may go to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter, a scrap processing facility that takes them, or a county household hazardous waste collection site. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-200 Disposal of used lead acid battery (opens in new tab)

More New Jersey rules (10)

Licensed garbage collectors may not knowingly collect lead acid batteries put out as trash and may refuse a container holding one. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-205 Solid waste collector not to collect used lead acid batteries (opens in new tab)
No one may knowingly dispose of used nickel-cadmium or sealed lead rechargeable batteries as solid waste. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.69 Disposal of used nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries as solid waste, prohibited (opens in new tab)
Household nickel-cadmium and sealed lead rechargeable batteries may be returned to a retailer (unless the manufacturer plan says otherwise), taken to a county HHW collection site, or put out under the municipal recycling ordinance where batteries are designated. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.69 Disposal of used nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries as solid waste, prohibited (opens in new tab)
No one may dispose of a used lead acid battery as solid waste in New Jersey. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-200 Disposal of used lead acid battery (opens in new tab)
No one may knowingly dispose of used mercuric oxide batteries as solid waste. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.68 Disposal of mercuric oxide batteries as solid waste, prohibited (opens in new tab)
Under the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (P.L.1987, c.102, as amended), each county adopts a district recycling plan to implement the State Recycling Plan goals. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
Each county plan designates the materials every municipality must source separate: leaves plus at least three other recyclable materials. The statute does not name a fixed statewide list beyond leaves. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
Municipalities adopt recycling ordinances under the county plan and may limit collection of designated recyclables to set hours. Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
Statutory targets: recycle at least 50% of the municipal solid waste stream and 60% of the total solid waste stream (by 1995). Source: P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab)
The Dry Cell Battery Management Act requires counties to include used dry cell battery collection in their existing household hazardous waste collection programs. Source: N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.60 Dry Cell Battery Management Act: findings, declarations (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (21)

Where this information comes from

Call before you go

Union County: Household Hazardous Waste (2026 schedule) (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Union County holds household hazardous waste drop-off events in 2026 on April 25 and October 25 (UC VoTech, Scotch Plains), June 7 (UCNJ, Cranford) and August 8 (Kean University, Union), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Union County HHW events accept batteries but not alkaline batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County press release: July dates announced for free recycling program for residents (June 24, 2026) (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Union County describes its seasonal recycling events, including HHW and scrap metal, as a free recycling program for residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County: Homeowners guide to proper household battery management (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Union County accepts rechargeable and button cell batteries at its HHW events; batteries must be bagged or have terminals taped. Checked October 26, 2026.
Union County: Municipal Electronics Drop-Off Programs (opens in new tab) · County of Union
- Elizabeth residents can bring electronic waste to the Elizabeth Recycling Center (523 Trenton Avenue), Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
City of Elizabeth 2026 Garbage & Recycling Brochure & Calendar (opens in new tab) · City of Elizabeth Department of Public Works, Recycling Division
- Nickel-cadmium, car and rechargeable batteries can be dropped off at the Recycling Center; alkaline batteries go in household garbage. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
P.L.2007, c.347: Electronic Waste Management Act (as enacted) (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature
- Under the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (P.L.1987, c.102, as amended), each county adopts a district recycling plan to implement the State Recycling Plan goals. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- Each county plan designates the materials every municipality must source separate: leaves plus at least three other recyclable materials. The statute does not name a fixed statewide list beyond leaves. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- Municipalities adopt recycling ordinances under the county plan and may limit collection of designated recyclables to set hours. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- Statutory targets: recycle at least 50% of the municipal solid waste stream and 60% of the total solid waste stream (by 1995). Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
- A county plan may require municipalities to add used dry cell batteries as a designated recyclable material. Checked October 17, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-200 Disposal of used lead acid battery (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- No one may dispose of a used lead acid battery as solid waste in New Jersey. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
- A used lead acid battery may go to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter, a scrap processing facility that takes them, or a county household hazardous waste collection site. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-205 Solid waste collector not to collect used lead acid batteries (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- Licensed garbage collectors may not knowingly collect lead acid batteries put out as trash and may refuse a container holding one. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-201 Retailers to accept used lead acid battery (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- Every lead acid battery retailer (and wholesaler) must accept a used lead acid battery from the public during business hours when offered in exchange with the sale of a new one. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-199 Definitions (lead acid batteries) (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- Lead acid batteries here are storage batteries designed for motor vehicles, aviation equipment or marine vessels. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-204 Retailer to display notice that lead acid batteries may be recycled (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- Retailers must post a notice: lead acid batteries can be recycled there, discarding an automotive or marine lead acid battery is illegal, and state law requires them to accept one with a new battery purchase. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.69 Disposal of used nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries as solid waste, prohibited (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- No one may knowingly dispose of used nickel-cadmium or sealed lead rechargeable batteries as solid waste. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
- Household nickel-cadmium and sealed lead rechargeable batteries may be returned to a retailer (unless the manufacturer plan says otherwise), taken to a county HHW collection site, or put out under the municipal recycling ordinance where batteries are designated. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.68 Disposal of mercuric oxide batteries as solid waste, prohibited (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- No one may knowingly dispose of used mercuric oxide batteries as solid waste. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).
N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.60 Dry Cell Battery Management Act: findings, declarations (opens in new tab) · New Jersey Legislature (Office of Legislative Services)
- The Dry Cell Battery Management Act requires counties to include used dry cell battery collection in their existing household hazardous waste collection programs. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check).

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