Minneapolis ends residential battery recycling collection

Batteries will no longer be accepted in recycling collected from residential properties in Minneapolis, officials in the city reported on Nov. 19. Rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries and items containing batteries such as electronic cigarettes and cellphones are no longer allowed in the city’s garbage and recycling carts, according to a news release issued by the city of Minneapolis. Alkaline batteries, including single-use AAA and AA batteries can still be disposed of in residential garbage carts.

According to a news release from the city, Hennepin County, Minnesota, recently discontinued its battery collection program at community locations including city and county buildings, libraries, schools and community centers because of a fire at one of its community drop-off locations caused by a vaping device.

Hennepin County will still accept batteries at permanent drop-off locations in Bloomington, Minnesota, and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It will also accept batteries at hazardous waste drop-off events located around Minneapolis in the spring, summer and fall. The city has encouraged its residents to reach out to Call2Recycle, headquartered in Atlanta, to learn about additional retail drop-off sites to recycle or dispose of rechargeable batteries.