Battery Collection in Action Case Study: Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s Community-Centered Battery Collection Program
On this page:
Introduction
The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency manages waste and recycling in Central New York, sending all municipal solid waste to a waste-to-energy facility. Rechargeable batteries can overheat, spark, or explode when compacted or exposed to high temperatures, posing fire and safety risks at waste-to-energy facilities, so the County prioritizes removing batteries from the waste stream. County staff reported that, while their waste-to-energy operator has not experienced any major fires, battery removal is a critical preventive measure.
The County established a household battery collection program that has grown and evolved over the past three decades. The County now faces a more complex battery landscape, including higher costs for safe collection, transportation, and recycling, particularly for lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, limited disposal options for mid-formatMid-format batteries are rechargeable batteries between 11 and 25 pounds or 300 to 2000 watt-hour ratings. This includes e-bikes, e-scooters, portable power stations, and outdoor power equipment. lithium-ion batteries present challenges for safe handling and end-of-life management. Despite these obstacles, the program maintains strong community participation, underscoring the County’s ongoing commitment to safety, convenience, and public trust.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 QuickFacts website, the County serves approximately 460,000 residents across 33 municipalities, which includes the urban center of Syracuse as well as surrounding suburban and rural communities. About 19 percent of the county’s population is age 65 or older. The median household income is $74,740, with 13.6 percent of residents living below the poverty line.
The County ensures that their battery program is accessible to the community by using frequent communication, varied outreach channels, and strategic kiosk placement. Drop-off locations serve many neighborhoods, but the County knows there is a need to expand infrastructure through adding bins in urban community centers, as well as a need to boost education efforts in lower-income areas through printed materials and community events.
Program Design and Implementation
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s battery program began over 30 years ago with curbside pickup using fluorescent “battery bags,” collected manually each July. The curbside program was phased out in 2020 due to the rise of automated hauling systems, which no longer allowed for manual collection of battery bags.
In 2008, drop-off kiosks were added throughout the community. This year-round collection model employed unmanned drop-off kiosks at high-traffic locations such as Wegmans.
The County chose kiosk sites for visibility, convenience, and countywide coverage. People can access the kiosks during extensive store hours. Where kiosks are not feasible, counter-based collection points provide additional access. Accepted battery types include alkaline, rechargeable, and button cell batteriesButton-cell or coin batteries are small, round batteries that historically contained silver, cadmium, mercury or other heavy metals as their main component. . Residents are instructed to tape or bag rechargeable batteries to reduce fire risks. In-store signage reinforces safe handling at drop-off points.
The County's battery collection program is supported by a team of eight staff, including a full-time program coordinator, a recycling specialist, a finance clerk, a public information officer, a battery collection driver, and three sorters from Arc of Onondaga, a nonprofit that supports individuals with developmental disabilities.
Battery sorting occurs at a County facility in Camillus, New York. To enhance safety, fire prevention, and staff working conditions, the County is developing a climate-controlled facility as part of a new residential convenience center. The County partners with Call2Recycle for rechargeable battery processing, using their no-cost services when possible. The County's public information officer manages public outreach through website content, social media, newsletters, and print campaigns, reaching up to 100,000 households annually. These efforts create a program that is practical, accessible, and highly visible to the community.
What Works Well
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s program succeeds by integrating battery recycling into residents’ routines, placing drop-off kiosks at everyday destinations like grocery and hardware stores for convenience.
The program’s partnership with Arc of Onondaga enhances community value by providing employment and expanding operational capacity. Nonprofit staff sort batteries weekly. One longtime Arc of Onondaga battery sorter now works full-time with the County as a compost site gatekeeper.
The County’s financial model supports consistent operations. The County is a self-sustaining public benefit corporation guided by a volunteer board of directors. So, according to the County's Spring 2024 Newsletter (pdf)(1.8 KB), they do not rely on tax dollars but instead funds programs through tipping fees, waste-to-energy facility revenue, and grants. This financial independence allows for investment in infrastructure, staffing, and outreach, keeping the battery collection program accessible and effective.
Consistent outreach through direct mail, local TV spots, and in-store signage maintains high visibility and builds community trust. These efforts have made battery recycling second nature for many Onondaga County residents.
Challenges Encountered
Despite its long-term success, Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency's battery collection program faces cost pressures, policy gaps, and limited staffing. A major issue is the high cost of recycling alkaline batteries, which constitute most of the small-format batteries Small format batteries are those under 4.4 pounds and rechargeable batteries under 11 pounds including removable and embedded batteries in electronics and electric devices. collected. This service costs the County over $100,000 annually—an unsustainable expense without dedicated funding.
Gaps in state policy further complicate operations. Up until the 2025 Legislative Session, New York law mandated recycling for rechargeable batteries but not for mid-format lithium-ion batteries from devices such as e-bikes and scooters, which pose fire hazards without a clear no-cost disposal pathway. This policy gap left County staff handling public inquiries without reliable, economical solutions. Now that the Rechargeable Battery Law has been expanded to include mid-format batteries up to 50 pounds, the County can expand its collection. However, New York State still lacks an economical solution for damaged, defective, or recalled batteries.
The County program operates with a lean team. Outreach, education, and public inquiries are managed by only a few staff members, who must stay up to date on evolving battery technologies. At retail locations, staff turnover can lead to inconsistent practices and communication due to new staff members’ unfamiliarity with the County’s role. To help overcome this challenge, the County built and maintains relationships with local and regional management for these businesses. Rural access is also a concern, especially now that curbside battery collection has been discontinued. Improperly prepared batteries or contamination can affect worker safety and increase labor and disposal costs, which are already considerable.
These challenges highlight the tensions that local programs face in maintaining strong public service missions with limited resources.
Evaluation Metrics
In 2024, Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency collected 140,120 pounds of alkaline batteries, 5,740 pounds of rechargeable batteries, and 2,900 pounds of lithium metal and other non-alkaline primary batteries, totaling 148,760 pounds. The County has a stable financial position, and in fiscal year 2023–2024 had total assets of $92.4 million; however, the battery program incurs significant costs. Alkaline battery recycling alone costs over $100,000 annually. These expenses are partially offset by grants and partnerships that support public education and rechargeable battery recycling, but the County may be forced to eliminate alkaline battery collection for recycling due to unsustainable costs.
Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s experience demonstrates that:
- Community trust, steady communication, and flexible program design are crucial for a successful battery collection effort. Over three decades, the County evolved from a seasonal curbside program to a comprehensive countywide drop-off system, adapting to changing battery types, resident behaviors, retail landscapes, and funding availability.
- Partnerships have been vital to the program’s reach and resilience. Collaborations with local retailers have enhanced access, while work with Arc of Onondaga has created meaningful employment opportunities and supported efficient operations.
- The program maintains strong public engagement through consistent, multichannel communication and clear guidance on battery preparation and drop-off. Despite challenges, residents continue to participate and show interest in safe battery management, while the County continues to provide education and safe recycling options despite financial constraints.
For local governments, the County’s model provides a valuable example of maintaining participation and trust amid regulatory and financial constraints. Programs that meet residents where they are—both physically and behaviorally—can foster long-lasting habits that promote safety, sustainability, and shared responsibility.
Insights and Next Steps
Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency continues to adapt its battery collection program in response to shifting waste streams, emerging safety concerns, finances, and community needs.
To enhance operations and worker safety, the County, with assistance from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, plans to build a climate-controlled battery sorting facility as part of a new residential convenience center. This facility will streamline sorting, reduce fire risks, and provide safer working conditions for staff, including Arc of Onondaga participants. The County plans to expand drop-off access in certain communities using federal EPA grant funding.
Looking ahead, the County is preparing for the increase in mid-format lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and scooters entering the waste stream. Despite funding constraints, the County remains committed to transparency, public education, and practical solutions for safe battery disposal.