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In just one year, over 20 tons of household batteries have been safely collected and recycled through the city’s new curbside battery collection program. To put it in perspective, that’s the weight of:

• 4 adult elephants

• 100 grand pianos

• 5,000 cats (very unhappy about being weighed)

That’s 20 tons of batteries not sitting in landfills—or worse, sparking fires in garbage and recycling trucks or facilities.

Batteries—especially lithium-ion ones found in rechargeable devices—can catch fire if crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat. When tossed in the garbage or regular recycling bin, they pose a serious risk to garbage truck drivers, recycling workers, and the environment.

Since June 2024, Portland’s curbside battery collection program has made it easier than ever for single-family households and smallplexes (2–4 units) to recycle household batteries safely.

For more information, visit .
Photo by Simon Gough: