HOW TO RECYCLE BATTERIES
Battery Recycling Instructions & FAQ
Q: Do you recycle batteries? When can I drop them off?
Yes! You can drop them off between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily at the front desk of the Frick Environmental Center (2005 Beechwood Blvd). Please only drop off batteries when the Frick Environmental Center is open. Batteries left outside are more likely to rust and become hazardous to our volunteers.
Q: Do I have to pay to recycle these batteries? How much does it cost?
Battery recycling at the Frick Environmental Center is offered to the public for free, but donations are critical to support the program. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is a non-profit organization and relies on philanthropic support and individual donations to continue our mission, projects, and programs, including the battery recycling initiative.
Q: Does the Parks Tax cover battery recycling? What is the Parks Tax anyway?
Funds from the Parks Trust Fund, commonly known as the Parks Tax, are not used for the battery recycling program. The Parks Trust Fund was approved by voters in November 2019 and collects approximately $10 million a year to equitably improve park spaces. The City of Pittsburgh collects, manages, and distributes these funds. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy can apply to access the funds for specific, approved projects.
Q: What kind of batteries do you take? How do I find out what type of batteries I have?
We can take most kinds of computer, hearing aid, and small household batteries. The type of battery is often written on the battery itself and we can accept alkaline, lead, lithium, lithium-ion, and many others.
We do not take car batteries or other large batteries. Drill batteries can be recycled for free at Home Depot or other hardware stores. If you have questions, please call 412-586-4576 for more information on what batteries we take
Q: Do I need to tape/sort them? What do I do with batteries that are broken?
Please help us responsibly dispose of batteries by following our battery recycling guide below.
- Lithium/lithium-ion batteries: Tape both ends of the battery with tape (any tape other than duct tape is fine). Put them together in a plastic bag.
- Broken, rusted, or corroded batteries: Place batteries in a sealed plastic bag. You do not need to tape broken lithium batteries.
- All other batteries: Individual batteries can be deposited unbagged in the blue battery collection tube or, in the case of large batteries, placed next to the tube.
Pre-sort and tape your batteries for faster recycling.
Q: What happens to the batteries you recycle?
Pennsylvania Resources Council offers recycling services for hazardous waste, chemicals, and other electronics. Learn more about their programs and sign up to recycle other hard to recycle items on their website.
