The Fresno County Department of Public Works and Planning would like to remind Fresno County residents to safely and properly dispose of used batteries by dropping them off at a designated collection site and keeping them out of landfills.

Do NOT place used batteries in your household trash or recycling bins as they are hazardous waste and present increased risk of possible fire, explosion, and/or injury when disposed of improperly.

There are numerous locations in Fresno County that offer free collection of used batteries. These include many Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Orchard Supply Hardware locations.

Residents can visit https://www.call2recycle.org/ to find a drop off location nearest to them.

Residents may also drop off used batteries at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 18950 American Avenue in Kerman on Saturdays between 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

This year there have been four fires at the County’s American Avenue Disposal site caused by lithium-ion batteries, with three of those occurring in just the last week. Although the fires have been quickly contained, they caused more than $100,000 in damage and placed workers and the facility at risk.

Help to reduce the risks by properly disposing of used batteries and other Household Hazardous Waste. Learn more at https://www.call2recycle.org/ or by visiting http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/hhw.