Quick Verdict
Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) are legal to put in household trash in Oregon because they no longer contain mercury (federal ban since 1996). But recycling is strictly better: Batteries Plus accepts alkaline at low per-pound rates, Metro and county HHW facilities take them for free, and some Oregon school and library drives collect them. Tape the terminals of 9V batteries before any disposal path — they cause garbage truck fires when positive and negative touch metal.
Alkaline is the "easy" battery case in this guide. The confusion is partly historical — pre-1996 alkaline batteries contained mercury and had to be treated as hazardous waste. Modern alkaline batteries are not. But recycling is still a better environmental and safety choice.
Why Alkaline Is Different from Lithium
Alkaline batteries use zinc and manganese dioxide chemistry. They do not contain lithium, cobalt, or nickel, and they are not a fire risk in the way lithium batteries are. That is why Oregon trash haulers accept them (with one big exception: 9V terminals touching can still spark).
The case for recycling anyway:
- Steel case and zinc core have scrap value.
- Manganese is a recoverable metal.
- Landfill volume. Americans throw away roughly 3 billion batteries a year.
- Mixed disposal habits. Training households to recycle alkaline also catches the occasional lithium battery that would otherwise be trashed.
Oregon Disposal Options
1. Batteries Plus
Batteries Plus stores in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Salem, Eugene, Bend, Medford, and other Oregon locations accept alkaline batteries for a small per-pound fee (typically $1 to $2 per pound). They handle the downstream recycling.
2. Metro HHW and County HHW
Metro South (Oregon City) and Central (NW Portland) HHW bays accept alkaline batteries from residential customers at no charge within free limits. Most Oregon county HHW round-ups do the same.
3. Transfer Station HHW Bays
Coffin Butte, Short Mountain, Knott Landfill, and Rogue Transfer and Recycling all accept alkaline batteries in their HHW sections.
4. Mail-In Box Programs
Big Green Box, Call2Recycle "all-battery" boxes, and Veolia RecyclePak offer pay-per-box mail-in recycling. Typical cost is $50 to $150 per box for mixed battery chemistries. Good for an office or school with a steady stream.
5. School, Library, and Scout Drives
Some Oregon schools, libraries, and Scout troops run periodic battery collection drives. Check local calendars — especially in April for Earth Month.
6. Household Trash (Legal, Not Ideal)
Alkaline batteries are legal in Oregon curbside trash. If you trash them, tape the terminals of 9V batteries first. Never trash 9V with the contacts exposed — they can ignite paper and cardboard in a garbage truck if two batteries make contact.
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Group alkaline separately from lithium, NiCd, NiMH, lead acid, and button cells. Mixed pile slows down recycling.
- Tape 9V batteries on both terminals with electrical tape or vinyl tape. This is non-negotiable regardless of disposal destination.
- Tape coin cells (CR2032 and similar) even though these are typically lithium and follow the lithium path.
- Keep leaking alkaline batteries separate. Place each leaker in its own zip-top bag with a paper towel to absorb the potassium hydroxide.
- Bag in manageable portions. A one-gallon zip-top holds plenty.
- Drop promptly. An accumulation of two or three pounds is plenty for a single Batteries Plus or HHW drop.
Handling Leaking Batteries
Alkaline leakage is a white crusty buildup of potassium hydroxide. It is a mild base, not severely corrosive, but it irritates skin and eyes. To handle:
- Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection.
- Use a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar to neutralize and wipe leaking residue.
- Clean the battery compartment of the affected device with a vinegar swab, then dry thoroughly.
- Bag the leaking battery separately.
- Take to HHW, not regular trash.
Cost Expectations
Industry Baseline Range
| Option | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Household trash (legal) | Free, but environmentally poor |
| Batteries Plus | $1 - $2 per pound |
| Metro / county HHW | Free within residential limits |
| School / library drive | Free |
| Mail-in box (all-battery) | $50 - $150 per box |
| Junk removal (bundled) | No incremental fee typically |
These figures reflect published industry averages. Current market pricing varies significantly and actual quotes may fall well outside these ranges based on site-specific conditions, material costs, and project complexity.
Current Market Reality
Free or cheap is realistic for a household. Costs climb when an office, school, or facility generates several pounds per month — a mail-in box program is usually the right answer at that volume. Estate cleanouts with decades of batteries stockpiled in drawers are common and go easily into a junk removal load.
Special Cases
Rechargeable AA/AAA (NiMH)
Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries are nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), not alkaline. They must be recycled at Call2Recycle locations — not trashed. Same for older NiCd cells. See how to dispose of lithium batteries for the Call2Recycle network that handles NiMH and NiCd.
Watch Batteries / Hearing Aid Batteries
Silver oxide, zinc-air, and mercury button cells — the mercury ones are rare now. Treat all button cells as hazardous waste: tape and drop at HHW or Batteries Plus.
Camera Lithium Primary (CR123A, CR2)
These are lithium primary batteries, not alkaline. Tape terminals and recycle through the lithium battery path.
Old "Heavy Duty" / Carbon-Zinc Batteries
Older than alkaline chemistry. Legal in trash, same as alkaline. Still better recycled.
Sealed Lead Acid (Alarm Backup, Small UPS)
Not alkaline. Treat as lead acid, recyclable at Batteries Plus, auto parts stores, and scrap yards.
When to Call a Pro
Call a professional junk removal service when:
- You are clearing an estate or rental with drawers full of assorted batteries, no one wanting to sort
- You are cleaning out an office supply closet with many batteries mixed with electronics
- You are handling a hoarded home with batteries mixed in trash piles
- You are combining battery disposal with other hazardous household items
Otesse junk removal handles mixed-battery cleanouts across Oregon and routes each chemistry to the correct endpoint.
FAQ
Can I put AA and AAA alkaline in curbside recycling? No. Curbside recycling does not accept batteries of any type.
Is it illegal to trash alkaline in Oregon? No, it is legal. Recycling is recommended but not required for household quantities.
Do I need to tape the terminals of AA batteries? Not strictly for alkaline in small quantities. Do tape 9V regardless.
What about button batteries in greeting cards or toys? Treat all button cells as hazardous — tape and HHW.
Are "alkaline" and "zinc-carbon" batteries the same? No, but both follow the same disposal path.
Next Step
For a household with a steady trickle of dead AAs, save them in a zip-top bag and drop at Batteries Plus or Metro HHW every few months. For a cleanout or office closure, contact Otesse. We take batteries along with the rest of the load.