Battery Recycling

Pile of 9 volt batteries

Why Recycle Batteries?

Batteries are made from base metals, plastics and toxic heavy metals including lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium, and mercury. Recycled batteries will be taken apart and many of the materials will be recovered and used to make new batteries or something else. If you throw your batteries into the trash they well be taken to a landfill where toxic heavy metals, over time, may leach into the ground water, potentially causing soil and water pollution. Lithium Ion batteries have the potential to ignite while the landfill is being compacted or once buried in the landfill reating dangerous  working conditions.  With the expansion of electric vehicles and large battery storage arrays associated with power generation, these metals are in high demand. Recycling your batteries helps reduce the need for the strip mining of these metals and keeps them out of landfills where they will be lost for the future production of batteries.

Battery Recycling

Residents Recycle Household Batteries Year-Round at Kauaʻi Resource Center

3460 Ahukini Road
Līhu‘e, HI 96766
(near the airport)

Residents may drop off their alkaline, NiCad (Nickle Cadmium)/NiMH (Nickle Metal Hydride), or Lithium (Li-ion) batteries inside the main entrance at the Kaua‘i Resource Center. This program is reserved for residents only and no lead acid batteries are accepted at this location. Please call 241-4841 with any questions.

The following battery types are accepted under this program:          

Batteries are separated into three categories described below. Terminals of batteries 9 volt and higher must be taped prior to recycling. Please place electrical tape on 9 volt terminals to avoid sparking. Thank you for your cooperation.

Alkaline (Dry Cell): Non-rechargeable batteries such as those used for household devices includes A, AA, AAA, C, D, DD, 6 and 9 volt batteries. 9 volt batteries or higher; please place electrical tape on the terminals to avoid sparking prior to recycling.

NiCad/NiMH: Are typically rechargeable and come is several types. Common uses are for cameras, rechargeable appliances, portable power tools, toys, and handheld vacuums.

Lithium (Li-ion): Common uses are for cameras, calculators, laptops, rechargeable tools (up to 4 lbs.), toys, small appliances, and watches. Small format lithium-ion batteries only, includes button batteries. No embedded batteries.

Batteries accepted year-round at the Kaua‘i Resource Center 3460 Ahukini Rd in Līhu‘e. Battery collection is available daily from 7:45am-4:30pm; closed on all County holidays. Program is for residents only. No Lead-acid, UPS or APC batteries. Businesses, non-profits, and governmental agencies are prohibited.

Additional drop-off locations for NiCad/NiMH  and lithium-ion batteries (residents only):

Home Depot 

Location: 4320 Nuhou St Phone: (808) 632-2740

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 6am-9pm; Sunday, 7am-7pm

Notes: Small lithium-ion up to 11 pounds (under 300 watt-hours). See front entrance of store for collection box. Place in plastic bag provided at location or tape terminals. No embedded batteries. 

 

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Businesses

The household battery recycling program is a residential program only. Businesses, non-profits, and governmental agencies are prohibited from disposing of batteries through this program.

Businesses are required to properly manage Ni-Cad/Ni-Metal Hydride and Lithium (Li-ion) batteries through a permitted hazardous waste disposal company.

Alkaline batteries are not hazardous and no longer contain mercury. The other metal components can be properly managed through normal refuse services in small quantities.

Please see the Department of Health's hauler list located at:

https://health.hawaii.gov/shwb/hazwaste/

Direct link: Hauler list

Please take Lead Acid Batteries (Vehicle, Auto) to one of the following:

  • Costco 4300 Nuhou St, Līhu‘e (808) 241-4000. Pays out for those purchased on-site.
  • Napa Auto Parts 4404 Rice St Līhu‘e (808) 245-9561. Pays out for those purchased in store.
  • Napa Auto Parts 2-2495 Kaumuali‘i Hwy Kalāheo (808) 332-8532. Pays out for those purchased in store.
  • Napa Auto Parts 980 Kipuni Way Kapa‘a (808) 823-6211. Pays out for those purchased in store.
  • O'Reilly Auto Parts 4428 Kukui Grove St. Līhu‘e (808) 245-8807. Store credit, $5 per battery.
  • PS&D Tires* 4004 Rice St, Līhu‘e (808) 245-9502. Pays out for those purchased in store.
  • Puhi Metals 3951 Puhi Road Līhu‘e (808) 245-6919.
  • County of Kaua‘i's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event for residents only.

*Accepts industrial and forklift batteries.

UPC and APC batteries housed in the original unit can be taken to Puhi Metals for eWaste recycling. Unhoused lead acid batteries may be brought to any Napa or O'Reilly Auto Parts.

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