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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The expanded version of the Auburn University Battery Recycling Program began as a project of the Peers Network.   After conducting sustainability assessments within their units, the Peers Ambassadors all wanted to find a more sustainable way to deal with the volume of batteries consumed during the course of university operations.  It didn’t take long to develop a solution, as Risk Management & Safety (RMS) had representation within the Peers Network, the Ambassadors stepped up to lead efforts in their units, and the Office of Sustainability had staff to help with the operational piece of expanding battery collection.

The expanded Battery Recycling Program officially launched in January 2019.  Every three weeks, student staff from the Office of Sustainability exchange empty bins for those with batteries.  They then bring the bins back to Langdon Annex for processing — where they weigh the batteries from each building, record the weight, and then consolidate them into as few buckets as possible.  The staff from the Office of Sustainability then takes the batteries to RMS’ Environmental Health & Safety Building, where the batteries collected by the Office of Sustainability are combined with those collected by RMS staff.  At the RMS facility, the two units work together to sort the batteries by type and package them for shipment, and then RMS staff ships the batteries off for recycling to various vendors, depending on the battery type.

Cumulative Battery Recycling Pie Chart by Calendar Year 2016-present 2016: 2177 pounds 4.3% 2017: 2221 pounds 4.4% 2018: 3255 pounds 6.4% 2019: 5618 pounds 11.1% 2020: 8955 pounds 17.6% 2021: 6364.5 pounds 12.5% 2022: 8110.5 pounds 16% 2023: 14,044 pounds 27.7%

We encourage all Auburn University faculty, staff, and resident students to participate in the program.  Below you’ll find details on accepted materials, bin locations, and who to contact with questions, concerns, or emergencies.  Your active and informed participation in the program makes a noticeable difference, as the program was able to collect over 50,745 pounds of batteries since 2016!

Logo for the Auburn University Battery Recycling Program

Accepted Materials

The following types of batteries may be placed in the designated battery recycling bins.  The images below have been provided solely for reference, so keep in mind the battery you have may vary in appearance.  For battery types not listed below, please contact Risk Management & Safety at 334-740-1267.

Regardless of battery type, batteries should NOT come in contact with any liquids.  Should a fire occur call 911 and ONLY use a fire extinguisher to handle the emergency.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to costs associated with recycling, only batteries used in the course of university operations and those produced by resident students should be placed into the bins.  If you would like to recycle personal batteries and live in the City of Auburn, you may do so at the RecycleAuburn center located at 365-A North Donahue Drive.

Alkaline
Picture of Alkaline Batteries
Picture of Alkaline Batteries
Picture of Alkaline Batteries
Picture of Alkaline Batteries
Picture of Alkaline Batteries
Carbon Zinc
Picture of Carbon Zinc Batteries
Picture of Carbon Zinc Batteries
Picture of Carbon Zinc Batteries
Picture of Carbon Zinc Batteries
Picture of Carbon Zinc Batteries
Lead/Lead Acid
Picture of a Lead Acid Battery
Picture of a Lead Acid Battery
Lithium Ion
Picture of a Lithium Ion Battery
Picture of a Lithium Ion Battery
Picture of a Lithium Ion Battery
Picture of a Lithium Ion Battery
Picture of a Lithium Ion Battery
Nickel Cadmium
Picture of a Nickel Cadmium Battery
Picture of a Nickel Cadmium Battery
Picture of a Nickel Cadmium Battery
Picture of a Nickel Cadmium Battery
Picture of a Nickel Cadmium Battery
Nickel Metal Hydride
Picture of a Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
Picture of a Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
Picture of a Lithium Ion Battery
Picture of a Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
Picture of a Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
Picture of a Nickel Metal Hydride Battery

Bin Locations

BuildingRoom/Area
3D Arts BuildingAsk Brian
AU Hotel & Dixon Conference CenterOperations Office
Bailey HospitalOutside Room 0405C
Biggin HallRoom 108
Broun HallNear Loading Dock
Brown-KopelRoom 1173
Cater HallRoom 111
ColiseumScore Office - Room 1120
College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment BuildingFirst Floor Recycling Room
College of Veterinary MedicineOIT Office
Corley BuildingRoom 212
Crop Improvement Association BuildingNeed to Ask
Davis HallRoom 212
Dudley HallRoom 221
Duncan HallRoom 053
Equine Research Lab BuildingMain Room
EW Shell Fisheries CenterBreak Room
Extension HallEntryway hall
Facilities Management ComplexStock Room
Foy HallInternational Programs Welcome Desk
Funchess HallRoom 101
Funchess Hall330 Warner Lab
Gorrie CenterRoom 118K
Greene HallOutside Room 150
Greene HallRoom 262D
Haley CenterMailroom (Basement)
Haley CenterRoom 7080
Haley CenterRoom 6080
Haley CenterSpeech and Hearing Clinic
Harbert CenterRoom 238
Hoerlein HallOutside Room 579
Horton HardgraveRoom 3047
Langdon AnnexRoom 200
Langdon HallRegistrar's Office Breakroom
Lowder HallRoom 016
Lowder HallRoom 017
Lowder HallRoom 331
National Poultry Technology CenterNeed to Ask
Medical ClinicNeed to Ask
Mell Classroom BuildingInformation Desk
OD Smith HallRoom 301
OIT BuildingFirst Floor Break Room
OIT BuildingSecond Floor Break Room
OIT BuildingThird Floor Break Room
Poultry ScienceRoom 202B (Copy Room)
RBD Library1022 Mailroom
RBD LibraryFirst Floor Circulation Desk
RBD LibraryRoom 2339
Recreation & Wellness CenterAuburn Outdoors
Recreation & Wellness CenterRoom 0315
Ross HallRoom 207
Rouse Life SciencesRoom 101
Samford HallRoom 23
Sciences Center Laboratory BuildingRoom 508
Scott-Ritchey Research CenterRoom 118
Shelby CenterRoom 1301L
Shelby CenterRoom 3106
Spidle HallRoom 266
Stadium Parking DeckAccess Control Offices
Student CenterStudent Media Center Room 1105M
Student CenterStaging Area Beside Loading Dock
Swingle Hall First Floor SW Stairwell
Tichenor Hall Room 302
Upchurch Hall Room 219
Vaughn Large Animal HospitalRoom 1119
Walker BuildingFirst Floor OIT Office

Contacts

For questions, comments, and service needs related to battery recycling, please contact:

Office of Sustainability | sustain@auburn.edu | 334-844-7777

Risk Management & Safety | freemms@auburn.edu | 334-740-1267

For questions, comments, and service related to all other recycling, please contact:

Waste Reduction & Recycling Department | aureuse@auburn.edu | 334-844-9461

For personal battery recycling within the City of Auburn, please contact:

City of Auburn Environmental Services | webenvirsvc@auburnalabama.org | 334-501-3080

For emergency situations, dial 911.