Battery Recycling

When in doubt, DON'T throw it out!

Help prevent fires and protect the environment by recycling batteries.

Battery Recycling Locations in Riley County:

  • Household Hazardous Waste Facility
    • 6425 Tuttle Creek Blvd, MHK, KS
    • (785) 539-3202
    • Hours: 7:30 am to 4 pm, M-F
    • *Also operates a trailer at Howie’s Recycling on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 8 am to noon.
  • Howie’s Recycling
    • 625 S 10th, MHK, KS
    • (785) 776-8352
    • Recycling Center hours: 
      • 8 am to 5 pm, M-F  
      • 8 am to 12 pm, Sat

Preparing your batteries for disposal

Please follow these steps to prep your batteries for safe and convenient disposal

Step 1 – Tape all Battery Terminals

  • All battery types (except alkaline) need to have their ends or terminals taped. This prevents them from linking together to generate fire. The best tape to use is clear packing tape or other clear tape. Using clear tape allows your local Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) to see the battery type for further sorting.
  • Tape all button or coin shaped batteries and ALL Lithium/Lithium Ion batteries whether rechargeable or single-use.

Step 2 – Temporary Storage 

  • After you tape your batteries, place them in a container until you take them to your local HHW facility. The container should not be “airtight.”

Step 3 – Drop-off at your local recycling facility

IMPORTANT: Keep all batteries (especially button cell batteries) out of reach of small children.

Did you know?

  • Every year, Americans throw away more than 3 billion batteries equating to 180 million tons of hazardous waste
  • Batteries contain corrosive materials and heavy metals that can contaminate the environment.
  • Batteries not disposed of properly can cause fires in your trash cans, recycling bins, trash trucks, and landfill stations.
Battery Recycling Sticker for Trash Bins

Battery Recycling Brochure

Feel free to print this PDF for reference or stop by our office at 110 Courthouse Plaza to request copies to distribute.

How it began:

While meeting to discuss the Solid Waste Management Plan 2021 annual review, the Solid Waste Management Committee talked about trash fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. The County was finalizing the contract with Hamm’s at the time, and they mentioned that there was an increase in trash truck and facility fires due to lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Hamm’s encouraged the County to create a battery recycling educational program.

Mike Boller indicated that vape pens and e-cigarettes (both biohazards) are generally the culprits of trash fires as most people are not aware that they contain tiny lithium-ion batteries. He indicated most counties do not recycle these batteries and it is expensive to do so. The Battery Recycling Educational Subcommittee was formed in early 2021, consisting of Mike Boller, Amanda Webb, Steve Galitzer, Greg Wilson, Judy Willingham, Julie Winter and Lisa Daily. The educational program expanded from just lithium-ion batteries to include information about some other recyclable batteries.

Staff secured a solid waste grant for the program from Kansas Department of Health and Environment in summer 2021. Since that time, we have created a “reminder” that is intended to go on residential trash tote lids. Many stickers have already been distributed and placed on cans around town. Several haulers have agreed to affix stickers themselves and committee members have been working to address their own neighborhoods. In addition, we’ve also created an informational flyer with more information on battery types, how to recycle, and why it is necessary. These flyers will also be distributed through mailers, billings, and outreach events.