In recognition of America Recycles Day, Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is urging residents to recycle all types of batteries safely and responsibly to reduce the risk of fires. DEP is reminding residents and businesses that while all batteries are recyclable, improper disposal can create significant fire hazards. Batteries, when damaged or disposed of incorrectly, can spark fires that endanger both people and property.

“Batteries are essential to our daily lives, powering everything from cell phones to electric and gas vehicles,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “However, they must be handled carefully when they reach the end of their useful life. Recycling batteries properly supports our environmental goals and protects our neighborhoods from potential hazards.”

Montgomery County DEP encourages residents to bring used batteries to the Shady Grove Transfer Station, approved recycling facilities or retail collection locations . Batteries should never be placed in curbside recycling bins, where they could be damaged and spark fires in recycling trucks or processing centers.

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The Shady Grove Transfer Station is located at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood

“We want to stress that batteries can and should be recycled, but they require extra care,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “By following safe recycling guidelines, we can help prevent fires and protect our environment. Recycling batteries safely not only keeps hazardous materials out of our waste stream but also recovers valuable materials for reuse.”

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It is important to transport batteries safely when they are headed for disposal. DEP guidelines for proper battery disposal:

• Tape the ends of batteries with masking tape or another non-metallic tape.
• Place loose batteries individually into a plastic bag.
• Place bagged batteries into a sturdy container labeled batteries.
• Do not mix small batteries with coins and keys in your pocket.

“Our fire and rescue teams have responded to numerous incidents stemming from batteries that were thrown away in regular trash or recycling bins,” said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Chief Corey Smedley. “We’re urging all residents to prioritize safe disposal practices for everyone’s safety.”

Montgomery County DEP provides several options for battery recycling, with drop-off locations and special handling procedures for different battery types. Visit the Montgomery County DEP website for more information on where and how to recycle batteries safely.