In just one year, over 20 tons of household batteries have been safely collected and recycled through the city鈥檚 new curbside battery collection program. To put it in perspective, that鈥檚 the weight of:
- 4 adult elephants
- 100 grand pianos
- 5,000 cats (very unhappy about being weighed)
That鈥檚 20 tons of batteries not sitting in landfills鈥攐r worse, sparking fires in garbage and recycling trucks or facilities.
Batteries鈥攅specially lithium-ion ones found in rechargeable devices鈥攃an 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鈥檚 curbside battery collection program has made it easier than ever for single-family households and smallplexes (2鈥�4 units) to recycle household batteries safely.
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Photo by Simon Gough: