Batteries, bulbs
Since 2023 it's illegal to put a household battery in DC trash, single-use included. Drop-off is free at Battery Network sites around the city and at the Zero Waste DC tent at most farmers markets; tape the terminals on lithium and 9-volts. E-bike batteries only go to the city's collection day at RFK, removed from the bike. Fluorescent tubes and CFLs go to that same collection day; incandescent bulbs can go in the trash.
Last verified October 2026
Updated Friday, October 30, 2026 · real listings, pulled from 130+ sources and reviewed by a person.
Drop it off · 11
Bring proof of residency (license, utility bill, or lease) plus registration.
free · You bring it · Must pre-register on Eventbrite · Hazardous-waste processing · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- RFK Stadium parking lots: Lot 8 at 2500 Independence Ave SE or Lot 3 at 2400 E Capitol St NE (varies by date)
- When
- Roughly twice per quarter: one Thursday 10am–2pm and one Saturday 8am–2pm. 2026 dates: Feb 5, Mar 14, Apr 30, May 2, Aug 27, Sep 12, Sep 24, Oct 22; next is Sat Nov 14, 2026 at RFK Lot 3. No entry after 2pm.
Home Depot NE Washington — batteries, CFL bulbs, plastic bags
★ 3.9 on Google (2572)Rechargeable batteries ≤11 lb / <300 Wh at Call2Recycle bin; CFLs must be unbroken, bagged in the bin's bag (no tubes, no LEDs stated); plastic bags "in most stores that still use bags." Only Home Depot inside DC.
$0 · You bring it · immediate · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 901 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20018 Map
- When
- Mon–Sat 6am–10pm, Sun 7am–8pm
Staples Downtown DC — electronics, ink, battery recycling
★ 3.7 on Google (84)Battery fee should be $0 under DC's battery law if the store is a Call2Recycle DC site — ask. The catch: Batteries cost $2.99 a visit here; DC's battery law should make them free, so ask at the counter.
$0 electronics/ink/toner · You bring it · immediate · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 1250 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005 Map
- When
- Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–7pm, Sun 12–6pm (third-party listing)
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 3200 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC Map
- When
- Saturdays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 1624 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC Map
- When
- Sundays 8:30am–1:30pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- U St & MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC Map
- When
- Sundays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 14th & Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC Map
- When
- Saturdays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 716 Monroe St NE, Washington, DC Map
- When
- Saturdays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 635 North Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC Map
- When
- Saturdays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 1303 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020 Map
- When
- Saturdays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Single-use and rechargeable household batteries; it has been illegal to put either in DC trash since Aug 1, 2023. The catch: E-bike and scooter batteries go only to the city's Special Waste days at RFK.
free · You bring it · none · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019 Map
- When
- Saturdays 9am–1pm; batteries August through December 2026
Sell it to a store · 1
Joseph Smith & Sons scrap metal yard (pays for metal)
★ 4.1 on Google (177)Buys aluminum, brass, copper, lead, lead-acid batteries, stainless, cast iron, appliances; Freon units may need certification. The catch: Bring photo ID.
$0 — they pay you by weight · You bring it · immediate · Recycled · Last verified October 2026
- Where
- 2001 Kenilworth Ave, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 (just over the DC line) Map
- When
- Tue–Sat 7am–4pm, Sun 7am–12pm (closed Mon)
Who refuses batteries, bulbs
- Lugg — No hazardous (paint, batteries, propane).
- Best Buy Columbia Heights — Not accepted: stand-alone batteries, microwaves, A/Cs, mini fridges, CDs/DVDs, instruments.
Other things to get rid of
Baby and kids' gear · Bike · Books · Clothes, shoes, linens · Computer, tablet · Doors, tile, lumber · Fridge, stove, AC · Mattress · Medication · Paint, chemicals · Papers to shred · Phone · Records, instruments · Sofa, chairs, table, dresser · Sports gear · Toys · TV