San Francisco becomes first U.S. city to offer public drop-off bins for battery-embedded products
Automated bins will accept household products with no prep or sorting required from residents
The San Francisco Environment Department (SF Environment) and Redwood Materials are rolling out a new and innovative technology for recapturing lithium-ion batteries and devices. San Francisco is the first city in the nation to offer this new technology: fully automated drop-off bins that accept mixed batteries and battery-embedded products with zero prep or sorting required. Nothing like this has existed before to unlock safe, city-wide collection and recycling for battery-embedded products.
Redwood Materials, an energy and critical materials company, engineered these battery recovery and recycling bins and are placing them at eight locations across the city. In addition to accepting loose lithium-ion batteries, the new bins will accept small, rechargeable devices with embedded batteries, like phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, electric razors, headphones, and small wireless devices. From the outside, it looks as simple as dropping a device into a slot, but inside, each unit is engineered with a sophisticated sensing and materials-management system operating continuously in the background.
"San Francisco is the place to be for companies driving the future of climate innovation and new technology," said Mayor Lurie. "These new battery recovery and recycling bins are a great example of how our city is continuing to innovate and make recycling easier and safer for everyone. Thank you to Redwood Materials for standing up new battery recycling bins across the city."
Lithium-ion batteries are notoriously difficult to collect because they come in so many shapes, sizes, and chemistries — and can catch fire if mishandled. With batteries now powering everything from electric vehicles to e-bikes to toothbrushes, keeping them out of trash and landfill is increasingly critical. The City has long had multiple ways for residents and businesses to safely recycle their lithium-ion batteries, but this is the first technology that specifically targets battery-embedded devices and represents a giant step forward for the safe recovery of a different category of lithium-ion batteries.
"San Francisco continues to lead in developing solutions that protect our environment," said Lieutenant Ken Smith, Public Information Officer at the San Francisco Fire Department. "Providing convenient, community-based locations where residents can safely recycle batteries just makes sense, and we're excited to see the impact of the program."
"Electronics are one of the largest untapped sources of critical materials, such as cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper, which are essential to powering our energy future. But today, only 16% of these devices are ever recycled, and these materials get stranded in America's junk drawers or sent to landfills," said Alexis Georgeson, Redwood's Vice President of External Affairs and Consumer Recycling Programs. "Our new Battery Bins use first-of-their-kind, patented technology to safely capture these materials at scale. We're thrilled to partner with The City and County of San Francisco, SF Environment and local businesses to make recycling easier than ever."
San Francisco focuses on advanced recycling for a clean environment
This deployment builds on San Francisco's long history of environmental leadership. The city's Climate Action Plan — originally developed nearly 30 years ago — has driven innovations ranging from the pioneering three-bin waste system to major clean-energy expansion.
"Battery disposal is a very serious matter, and batteries should always be disposed of properly and safely," said SF Environment Director Tyrone Jue. "Expanding innovative recycling options for embedded batteries is essential as the world transitions to cleaner electric technologies. We are excited to welcome Redwood Material's new Battery Bins and add greater support and convenience to San Francisco's battery recycling ecosystem."
Redwood's new Battery Bins will initially be available at four Cole Hardware locations, three Sports Basement stores, and at Four Embarcadero Center, with additional placements coming.
"Helping make everyday tasks easier for our neighbors is what Cole Hardware is all about," said Cole Hardware Co-Owner Rick Karp. "That's why we're excited to partner with Redwood Materials and SF Environment to make battery and device recycling safer and more convenient for communities across San Francisco."
Find a bin near you:
- Cole Hardware Cole Valley: 956 Cole St
- Cole Hardware Downtown: 70 4th St
- Cole Hardware North Beach: 627 Vallejo St.
- Cole Hardware Russian Hill: 2254 Polk St
- Sports Basement Presidio: 610 Old Mason St
- Sports Basement Stonestown: 3251 20th Ave Suite 390
- Sports Basement Bryant St: 1590 Bryant Street
- Embarcadero Center (BXP): Four Embarcadero Center
Other battery recycling and recovery options
Batteries and battery-embedded products cannot be discarded in recycling, compost, or landfill bins. San Francisco currently works with 60 retail collection partners ranging from hardware stores, pharmacies, and sports stores for household battery drop-off needs. Small-sized loose household batteries (not battery-embedded products) can be disposed of by collecting them in a clear bag and placing the bag on top of the gray or black landfill bin, or in orange battery collection buckets available in apartment buildings. Tape the ends of any lithium and 9V+ batteries when using these collection methods.
