Portland to offer curbside battery recycling for some city residents - OregonLive

Portland to offer curbside battery recycling for some city residents - oregonlive.com

Portland officials announced Monday that some city residents will be allowed to recycle old and used batteries directly outside their homes.

People who live in single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes can now place batteries alongside glass items in their small yellow bins for curbside collection, according to the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

Businesses and apartment complexes must continue to recycle batteries at drop-off locations around the city.

All curbside pickup batteries must go into a clear, one-quart plastic bag. Those that do not contain alkaline need to be covered with clear plastic tape on both ends to prevent potential fires inside recycling trucks or waste transfer facilities.

“Lithium-ion battery fires, often involving e-scooters, e-bikes, and portable electronics, are a growing fire-safety concern nationwide,” said Portland Fire Marshal Kari Schimel in a statement. “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.”

For more information on Portland’s new battery recycling program visit www.portland.gov/batteries.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh covers Portland city government and politics, with a focus on accountability and watchdog reporting.

Reach him at 503-294-7632

Email at skavanaugh@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @shanedkavanaugh

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