How to dispose of old batteries, Christmas trees

Residents may dispose of old batteries in a special container located at City Hall. Photo by Donna Ritchie

This holiday season, many residents have stocked up on fresh batteries for their new electronic “toys.” As disposable batteries wear out, residents should be mindful of state laws that went into effect in 2006, which require all batteries in California that are intended for disposal to be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, a universal waste handler or an authorized recycling facility. Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials they contain. According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, batteries also are potentially a valuable source of recyclable metal.

Residents may dispose of old batteries in a special container located at City Hall or at the Lake Elsinore Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 521 N. Langstaff St. For more information on household hazardous waste, call 800-304-2226.

For safety reasons and convenience, residents may not want to cherish their dried-out Christmas trees for too long after the holiday. CR&R is picking up trees through Jan. 6. Trees may be placed curbside with trash cans for the regularly scheduled trash service day. Stands and ornaments must be removed and trees over six feet tall must be cut in half. Due to New Year’s Day falling on a Tuesday, trash service is delayed by one day this week.