Nevada City, Calif. — ‘Tis the season for new gadgets and the time to recycle old gadgets and their batteries properly to promote safety and prevent fires. Gadgets containing embedded batteries, including cell phones, laptops, ear buds, vapes and more, can be recycled for free at the McCourtney Road Transfer Station in Grass Valley. Recycling prevents batteries from sparking fires and causing injuries when improperly thrown in the trash.

This holiday season many are gifting gadgets with batteries or batteries embedded in them. Nevada County urges residents to properly recycle batteries and battery embedded devices to prevent fire.

Drop-Off Location for Larger Batteries and Battery-Embedded Products

If the battery is difficult to access or requires special tools, recycle the entire device; there is no need to remove the battery beforehand.

Larger batteries, such as those for power tools, lawnmowers and cars, also need to be recycled and not intermixed with other waste and recycling to prevent fires.

Larger batteries and battery-embedded products are accepted at:

  • McCourtney Road Transfer Station, 14741 Wolf Mountain Road, Grass Valley.

Drop-Off Locations for Household Batteries

If the gadget is designed for batteries to be easily removed and replaced, remove those household batteries, such as AAA, AA, D, 9-volt and button-type batteries and recycle them.

Old gadgets with batteries embedded in them need to be recycled properly to prevent fires and injuries.
Old gadgets with battereis embedded in them need to be recycled properly to prevent fires and injuries.

WM (Waste Management) curbside customers can place batteries in a clear Ziploc bag and place it on top of your WM blue recycle cart on your regular recycle pickup day. If the batteries are not household type or not on top of the blue cart, they will be left at your curb.

Household batteries are accepted, at no cost, at the following locations:

  • Briar Patch Community Market, 290 Sierra College, Grass Valley
  • Nevada County Government Center, Community Development Agency, 950 Maidu Ave. Suite 170, Nevada City
  • Grass Valley Library, 207 Mill St., Grass Valley
  • McCourtney Road Transfer Station, 14741 Wolf Mountain Road, Grass Valley
  • Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City
  • Nevada City, City Hall, 317 Broad St., Nevada City
  • North San Juan Transfer Station, 10125 Flume St., North San Juan
  • Washington Transfer Station, 15886 Gaston Road, Washington
These batteries were improperly thrown in the trash and combusted, igniting a fire. Batteries need to be recycled properly.
These batteries were improperly thrown in the trash and combusted, igniting a fire. Batteries need to be recycled properly.

Help prevent fires and recycle batteries and battery-embedded products properly. For more gadget recycling tips, visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/recycling.

For questions, contact solid.waste@nevadacountyca.gov or call 530-265-7111.