Supporting safe, responsible battery recycling across the District
Washington, DC’s battery stewardship law ensures that residents have free and convenient access to battery recycling. The Battery Network operates the District’s approved program, working with retailers, collection partners, and producers to keep batteries out of the waste stream and protect local communities.
State Laws and Information
All household batteries must be recycled. It’s the law.
With the new DC Battery Disposal Ban in place, all household batteries are prohibited from being tossed in the garbage and must be properly recycled.
Definition of a Covered Battery
Household Batteries: Primary (single-use) and rechargeable batteries found in everyday home devices (remotes, toys, flashlights, cordless tools and vacuums, portable chargers, and more). If it powers a household device, it’s likely a household battery.
Damaged or Defective Batteries: Batteries that are no longer safe for normal use, charging, or handling due to physical damage or malfunction. Examples include batteries that are swollen, leaking, cracked, crushed, overheated, corroded, or otherwise compromised. Residents can contact a DC retailer participating in The Battery Network program for disposing of damaged and defective batteries. See our safety page for safe handling instructions.
Recycling batteries keeps your home and community safe.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
- Collect. Recycle batteries as needed and keep them in a cool, dry place.
- Protect. Ensure you’ve taped battery terminals or bagged before you drop.
- Drop. Find a nearby collection site and recycle responsibly.
Washington, D.C. Producer Stewardship Information
The Battery Network is the state-approved battery stewardship program for Washington, D.C., providing a convenient network of drop-off locations where consumers can recycle both primary (single-use) and rechargeable household batteries.
Under District law, producers of primary (single-use) or rechargeable batteries in the District must participate in an approved stewardship program, which provides free collection and recycling of primary (single-use) and rechargeable batteries for consumers. Producers listed on The Battery Network Steward and Brands pages are authorized to continue selling covered batteries in Washington, D.C.
For more information about the District Battery Stewardship law, please visit the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) website.
Definition of a Producer & Covered Battery
To learn if your company may be an obligated producer or the scope of covered batteries under the law, visit the Council of the District of Columbia website.
Contact Information
To find out more about joining our District Program, contact:
Roxane Peggs
Director of State Stewardship
[email protected]
(678) 218-4587
Washington, D.C. Collection Site Resources
We work closely with retail partners, municipal locations, and other collection sites to support safe, compliant battery recycling throughout District.
Need Physical Materials? If you would like to order these materials to be shipped to your location, please reach out to our team at [email protected]. We’re here to help make your collection site successful!
