Battery Recycling

The Office of Sustainability and the Planning and Facilities Management Department are excited to announce the pilot of a new battery recycling initiative. In partnership with Call2Recycle, we have placed cardboard battery recycling boxes at publicly-accessible locations across campus for students, faculty, and staff to recycle batteries. Below is more information on accepted batteries, how to recycle in Call2Recycle boxes, battery box locations, and more.

Battery Recycling Overview

How to Properly Recycle Batteries in Call2Recycle Boxes

1. Bag the battery using Call2Recycle-provided bags or other clear bags.
2. Seal or zip tie the bag to secure its contents.
3. Place the battery into a Call2Recycle box at one of Georgetown’s battery recycling locations.

Each battery recycling box should come with clear, paper instructions on how to recycle batteries and what kinds of batteries are accepted. If a Call2Recycle box is not accompanied by paper instructions, you may scan the QR code found on the side of the Call2Recycle box for more information or use the information provided below.

Battery Recycling Locations at the Hilltop

• The Healy Family Student Center across from the Hilltop Tap Room entrance
• Lauinger Library on the right side of the entrance across from the security desk
• The Student Services Center on the first floor of White Gravenor behind the service desk
• The Environmental Health and Safety Office on the lower level of the Medical Center (LM-12 of the Preclinical Science building)
• The Planning and Facilities Management Department in the copy room of Harbin Hall B-24 *open to faculty and staff only*
• The LXR Lobby on the service counter closest to the security desk *open to students only*

Battery Recycling Locations at the Capitol Campus

• 125 E Street (The McCourt School of Public Policy) at the security desk
• 500 1st Street at the security desk
• McDonough Hall at the security desk of the 2nd street entrance
• 111 Massachusetts Ave at the security desk of the New Jersey Avenue entrance
• 55 H Street at the security desk *open to residents only*

Accepted Batteries for Recycling

• Rechargeable batteries (up to 11lbs, under 300 watt hours)
  • Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
  • Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
  • Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
  • Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
  • Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb)
• Single-Use (Primary) Batteries
  • Alkaline
  • Button and Coin Cell
  • Carbon Zinc
  • Lithium Primary
• Cell Phones

Batteries That are NOT Accepted for Recycling

• No damaged or defective batteries
• No batteries that are part of a recall according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall list.
• No wet-cell batteries (i.e. car batteries)
• No batteries over 11 lbs
• No high energy batteries over 300 watt-hours
  • Electric scooters
  • Electric bikes
  • Outdoor power equipment

Damaged, Defective and Recalled Batteries

• Lithium-based damaged, defective, or recalled batteries (those bloated, leaking, with burn marks, or part of a recall) require special handling and packaging.
• Place damaged, defected or recalled batteries in a non-flammable substance such as sand or kitty litter. Do not place them in Call2Recycle boxes.

Batteries Requiring Terminal Protection

• Rechargeable Batteries
  • ALL Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
  • ALL small sealed lead acid (SSLA/Pb)
  • Greater than 12V:
    • Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
    • Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
    • Nickel Zinc (Ni-Zn)
• Primary Batteries
  • ALL lithium, including coin and button cells 
  • Alkaline over 12V
  • Carbon Zinc over 12V
• Cell Phones

Battery Recycling Support

Please submit a work order to the Recycling Department through Planning and Facilities Management, call 202-687-3432 or visit the office for any of the following requests or issues: 

• Battery Recycling boxes are full or at the weight capacity of 66lbs
• Battery recycling boxes are missing from the locations listed above
• Your Georgetown office is interested in receiving a battery recycling box