Household Batteries & Light Bulbs

Household Batteries

Used batteries are considered hazardous waste in California. You may not put batteries in your trash or recycling carts. This includes single-use and rechargeable Alkaline and Lithium AAA, AA , C, D, button cell, 9-volt, hearing aid, small tool and other small household batteries. To reduce waste, choose rechargeable batteries when possible. Note: All businesses that sell rechargeable batteries must take them back to be recycled.

Household Battery Drop-off in City Facilities

  • City of Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities Customer Service Office, 212 Locust Street
  • City Hall, Locust Street parking lot, battery receptacle hole in fence on the trash enclosure (24/7) - See following map
    City Hall map
  • London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street
  • Resource Recovery Facility, 605 Dimeo Lane (Monday-Saturday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm)

Retail Battery Drop-off Locations in the City of Santa Cruz

  • O'Reilly Auto Parts, 411 May Avenue

Light Bulbs

Fluorescent lighting contains mercury which is a hazardous material. It is illegal to throw out fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs, high-density discharge bulbs, metal halide bulbs, and sodium or neon bulbs.

Do the Right Thing! Never throw your used fluorescent bulbs or tubes in the trash or recycling cart!

Retail Location Drop-off Sites

Take bulbs and tubes to these retail locations.

Ace Hardware
1214 Soquel Avenue,
Santa Cruz
Tubes up to 4 ft. / 4 items per visit

Westside Hardware
855 Almar Avenue
Santa Cruz
Tubes up to 4 ft. / 4 items per visit

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Sites

Resource Recovery Facility
605 Dimeo Lane,
Santa Cruz

Buena Vista Landfill
1231 Buena Vista Drive,
Watsonville

Ben Lomond Transfer Station
9835 Newell Creek Road,
Ben Lomond

Limit at HHW sites: 10 bulbs or tubes per visit. Tubes over 4 feet are not accepted at retail locations. City residents may take tubes over 4 feet to the Resource Recovery Facility at no charge. Commercial customers and businesses must take used bulbs and tubes to the Buena Vista Landfill. There is a fee for recycling fluorescent bulbs and tubes.

Additional Locations

For additional drop-off locations in the County of Santa Cruz visit: Santa Cruz County Recycles.

Contact Us

Questions?
420-5593
msimmons@cityofsantacruz.com

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