Battery Disposal at UCSD

Keep batteries out of UCSD trash by following the disposal procedures below.

All used batteries are hazardous waste. Toxic heavy metals and corrosive properties of batteries make them unsuitable for disposal in the municipal trash because they can contaminate surface and ground water. Used batteries generated at UCSD are collected by the Environmental Management Facility for recycling or disposal as hazardous waste.

Typical battery uses at UCSD

Cell phones, pagers, cameras, computers, flashlights, power tools, research equipment, monitoring devices, health monitors, lanterns, burglar alarms, emergency lights, and automobiles and heavy equipment

Types of batteries used at UCSD

• Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd)
• Silver button
• Mercury
• Small sealed lead acid (Pb)
• Alkaline
• Carbon-zinc
• Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH)
• Lithium ion

How you dispose of batteries at UCSD

This depends on where your facility is located, whether you have a Waste Generator Number (WGN) or not, and the size and type of battery. Use the "How To" procedures appropriate for your location:

• For Hazardous Waste Generators, such as research labs and shops
• For campus and SIO
• For Medical Center (Hillcrest) and Thornton Hospital
• For all satellite UCSD facilities

See also Hazardous Waste Management at UCSD.

Safety

Hazardous Waste

• Batteries
  • At Campus & SIO
  • At Medical Center (Hillcrest) & Thornton Hospital
  • At Satellite UCSD Facilities
  • For Hazardous Waste Generators
• Biohazardous & Medical Waste
• ChemCycle
• Chemical Hazardous Waste Tag Diagram
• Computer Monitor & Electronic Devices
• Empty Hazardous Materials Containers
• Photo & X-ray Processor Waste
• Plastic Tissue-Culture Pipettes
• Identifying
• Latex Paint
• Radioactive Waste Tag Diagram
• What Can Go Down the Drain?
• Sharps
• Extremely Hazardous Chemical Waste Management
• Hazardous Chemical Waste Management
• Radioactive Waste Management
• Using Tags
• Wash & Rinse Water Disposal
• Waste Generator Number
• Waste Collection