Portland announces new battery recycling program starting this week

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Some Portlanders now have the power to recycle batteries right at their doorstep, the city announced on Monday.

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability announced that Portlanders who live in a house, duplex, triplex or fourplex can recycle their batteries safely by putting them out in a one-quart bag next to their glass recycling.

According to the bureau, The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability said the service will help prevent fires at recycling and waste facilities which are increasingly being started by batteries.

"Lithium-ion battery fires, often involving e-scooters, e-bikes, and portable electronics, are a growing fire-safety concern nationwide,” Portland Fire Marshal Kari Schimel said. “These fires can start and spread quickly, emitting large amounts of toxic smoke. For these reasons, it is critical that Portlanders safely dispose of these batteries and devices containing them and do not throw them away in their trash."

Most batteries are accepted by the new program, however there are some steps that need to be taken for safety purposes.

Any alkaline batteries are safe to just put into a clear one-quart bag, officials said. If the batteries aren't alkaline, both ends of the battery need to be taped with clear tape.

Any items like wireless devices, fitness bands, electric toothbrushes, cell phones, laptops, some toys, and even "singing" birthday cards cannot be recycled. Officials said items like vape pens and e-cigarettes also cannot be recycled.