Battery Collection in Action Case Study: Seattle Public Utilities Battery Disposal Ban
On this page:
Introduction
In January 2024, Seattle Public Utilities implemented a citywide battery disposal ban through Seattle Public Utilities Director’s Rule SW-404 (pdf)(206 KB). The ban prohibits disposing of batteries, items with embedded batteries, and electronics in the garbage. Seattle Public Utilities enacted the ban to increase recycling and to decrease battery-related fires at city-operated transfer stations, as these fires can endanger solid waste collection staff, vehicles, facilities, and community members.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Seattle covers about 84 square miles and has over 750,000 residents. The city offers several battery collection options (pdf)(101 KB), including free drop-off locations at transfer stations, household hazardous waste sites, and Call2Recycle partner retail locations, as well as curbside pickup by appointment for a fee. Although Seattle had voluntary battery recycling options before the ban, the new policy offered opportunities to increase awareness and encourage further recycling.
In 2023, Washington passed battery extended producer responsibility legislation, including a statewide disposal ban. The extended producer responsibility law will apply to small format batteries in 2027 and mid-format batteries in 2029. Seattle launched the citywide battery ban to prepare customers and bolster local collection before the statewide law takes full effect.
Program Design and Implementation
The Director’s Rule, implemented on January 1, 2024, was initially intended for electronic waste but expanded to include batteries in order to address fire risks in Seattle waste hauling fleets and transfer stations. The city's mayor, public utilities general manager, and fire chief were key figures in the public announcement on January 29, 2024.
The ban prohibits the disposal of the following items in municipal solid waste, including in commercial or residential garbage cans, containers, receptacles, or transfer stations:
- Cathode ray tubes.
- Electronic products covered by the Washington Electronics Recycling Law (Revised Code of Washington 70A.500).
- Batteries defined under the state’s Dangerous Waste Regulations (Washington Administrative Code 173-303-040), including: miniature button cell, zinc air, alkaline, silver oxide, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and other rechargeable batteries.
Seattle has a 25-year history of battery collection activities. The city offers free battery drop-off for most batteries at two household hazardous waste facilities and two transfer stations. The household hazardous waste facilities also collect damaged or defective batteries. Seattle Public Utilities partners with Call2Recycle for collecting rechargeable batteries, Clean Earth, Inc. for collecting alkaline batteries, and Continental Battery Systems for collecting lead-acid batteries. Local retailers, including home improvement, electronics, and grocery stores, accept batteries and electronic waste through Call2Recycle and E-Cycle Washington. When the battery stewardship law goes into effect for the entire state of Washington, collection sites must accept many battery types included in the Seattle citywide ban. However, the Director’s Rule includes additional categories, such as mobile device batteries and products with embedded batteries, that are not covered under the state law.
Seattle contracts haulers for curbside collection of household batteries (including lithium-ion) as a special-item pickup service by appointment, with a five-dollar ($5) fee for two gallon-sized resealable bags. Due to underutilization of this service, Seattle Public Utilities is piloting several interventions to inform future curbside services.
While the ban lacks dedicated funding for battery collection, Seattle benefits from a well-funded solid and hazardous waste management system supporting collection sites. Seattle Public Utilities is a managing partner in the Hazardous Waste Management Program, a regional coalition that collects solid waste and wastewater fees for hazardous waste management, including battery collection, across King County.
What Works Well
Seattle Public Utilities experienced an immediate increase in battery collection following the implementation of the battery ban, which officials promoted through graphics and multimedia communication via news outlets, radio, and social media. They launched media campaigns after the ban, with significant coverage in late January 2024. Seattle Public Utilities found that frequent and repeated communication effectively encouraged participation, resulting in a 17 percent increase in battery collection during the first quarter of the campaign. In 2024, Seattle’s household hazardous waste collection facilities collected and recycled over 115,000 pounds of batteries.
Challenges Encountered
Maintaining public outreach and education about the battery ban is challenging. While Seattle Public Utilities has a robust solid and hazardous waste team, their ability to engage in sustained battery outreach is limited due to concurrent solid and hazardous waste responsibilities and other agency priorities.
Enforcing the battery ban presents challenges as well. There is no fine for improper disposal, and checking every trash source for compliance is impractical. However, if solid waste staff find a battery in residential or business waste, they issue a warning tag on the garbage cart or dumpster to remind individuals that batteries cannot be disposed of in the trash.
Insights and Next Steps
Seattle Public Utilities implemented the battery disposal ban in part to prepare for the statewide battery extended producer responsibility law launching in 2027, which includes disposal requirements. The upcoming extended producer responsibility law mandates that battery producers establish a statewide collection system for small format batteries by January 1, 2027, and mid-format batteries by January 1, 2029. By July 1, 2026, the battery stewardship organization must submit a plan to the Washington State Department of Ecology detailing program operations, including participating producers, transporters, processors, disposal facilities, funding, performance goals, consumer outreach, and safety procedures.
Transferring battery collection and management responsibility to producers will enable Seattle Public Utilities and Washington local governments to expand convenient collection options for residents in the long term. In the short term, Seattle Public Utilities aims to keep batteries out of landfills to facilitate reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and end-of-life management by producers and stewardship organizations. When the extended producer responsibility law is in place, Seattle Public Utilities will continue supporting existing collection sites for Seattle residents.
Key Takeaways and Lessons Learned
Seattle Public Utilities attributed the initial rise in battery collection to media promotion during the first quarter after the ban's implementation. In hindsight, this early media promotion would have been a good vehicle for communicating additional information. Integrating messaging about local battery collection options, such as the underutilized special-item pickup service, into the initial ban communications could have leveraged early momentum and supported program growth.
Seattle Public Utilities emphasized that consistent communication is crucial for the successful rollout of the new policy and for engaging residents in battery collection. Current efforts to implement the battery stewardship law focus on writing regulations. Washington announced the rulemaking in March 2024 and held its first public meeting for input in early May 2024. Seattle Public Utilities is developing another educational campaign through news outlets, social media, and radio to increase awareness of local recycling options, including special-item pickup services.
Collection Data
Seattle Public Utilities shared the idea that progress often starts with doing what is possible in the moment. In implementing the battery disposal ban, they recognized the advantages of an iterative approach, which allows them to adapt as they move forward.
Because the Seattle battery disposal ban was enacted in January 2024, long-term data patterns are not yet available. However, Seattle Public Utilities provided a snapshot of battery collection data from the city's hazardous waste facilities for 2024:
- Auto lead-acid: 26,489 pounds.
- Nickel-cadmium/nickel-metal hydride/lithium-ion: 42,649 pounds.
- Small lead-acid: 582 pounds.
- Alkaline: 43,043 pounds.
Next Steps
Seattle Public Utilities is working to increase public awareness about battery recycling through special-item pickup promotion and plans to pilot additional interventions to enhance curbside pickup. As Washington prepares for the statewide extended producer responsibility law launch in 2027, Seattle Public Utilities is actively participating in the rulemaking process. The rule will help define the costs of battery collection and management, leading to reimbursement for local governments.
Seattle Public Utilities will collaborate with the battery stewardship organization to maximize collections, minimize operational disruptions at collection facilities, and support public education efforts to raise awareness about battery recycling options.