Whether it’s AA batteries in your remote or the coin cell batteries in hearing aids, it’s important to recycle every battery correctly. It can be confusing when you’re told something is recyclable but not in regular curbside pickup. If it’s not in your cart, then where do these batteries belong?
“One crucial thing we wish people understood is that even though their hearts may be in the right place, batteries should not go in bins,” said WM Senior Account Executive Shanna Lopez. “Those decisions, while made with good intentions, are not right and can be dangerous for our communities and teams throughout the disposal process.”
Household batteries are considered hazardous waste and can contain valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt or lithium, so they don’t belong in the trash either. In American alone, each person discards about eight batteries a year (9-volt, D, C, AA, AAA), amounting to more than 2.5 billion batteries annually – making this is an important dilemma to solve!
“Lithium-ion batteries that are thrown into dumpsters or bins can be damaged or punctured during the collection process, causing them to rapidly heat up and cause fires that can damage trucks, facilities and put workers and the public in danger,” said Lopez.
While batteries cannot go in curbside carts, they can be brought to local drop-off locations. As part of ongoing fire prevention and safety efforts, The Woodlands Environmental Services and The Woodlands Fire Department introduced a new household battery recycling program in October 2025 at Central Fire Station, 9951 Grogan’s Mill Road. Residents can safely drop off used household batteries weighing less than 11 pounds (no automotive or car batteries). This program provides all members of the community with a safe and convenient way to dispose of batteries that could otherwise pose a fire risk.
If you’re looking for additional options, for most Woodlands Township residents, household and automotive batteries can be recycled at the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility. If you are a Creekside Village resident, or if you live elsewhere in Harris County, additional options include Batteries Plus Bulbs, Home Depot, Lowes, and Best Buy, as well as various automotive repair shops for car and boat batteries. Check out the Recycle More Guide for which batteries are accepted at each drop-off center!
Every year, The Woodlands Township hosts a Recycling Drive-Thru, during which household batteries of all varieties (no car batteries) are accepted. The next Recycling Drive-Thru will take place on March 21, 2026. If you have any questions about where to dispose of your batteries in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to the Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.
Got more recycling dilemmas? Check out these previous posts:
recycling dilemmas? Check out these previous posts:
- Recycling Dilemma #1017: Oral Care & Eyeglasses
- Recycling Dilemma #1016: Holiday Décor & Christmas Trees
- Recycling Dilemma #1015: Padded Mailing Envelopes – Trash or Recycling?
- Recycling Dilemma #1014: Fixer Uppers
- Recycling Dilemma #1013: A Guide to Storm Debris During Hurricane Season
- Recycling Dilemma #1012: Time to Upgrade? What to Do With Your Old Electronics
- Recycling Dilemma #1010: Threadbare Clothes and Outgrown Shoes: Let’s Give Them a New Life!
- Recycling Dilemma #1009: Caution, that Pizza Box is Cheesy!
- Recycling Dilemma #1008: Plastic Bags and Film – Friend or Foe?
- Recycling Dilemma #1007 – K-Cups: How to Stay Caffeinated Sustainably
- Recycling Dilemma #1006 – Online Shopping: What to Do with All of Those Packages!
- Recycling Dilemma #1005 – Take-Out Containers - Where Do They Belong?
- Recycling Dilemma #1004 – Recyclables: To Bag or Not to Bag
- Recycling Dilemma #1003 – Moving Boxes and Oversized Cardboard: Give Them Another Trip!
- Recycling Dilemma #1002 – Got Stuff? Declutter Sustainably!
- Recycling Dilemma #1001 – Is That Recyclable? Cut Out Contamination
