Battery Recycling Program - Office of Sustainability

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.

Image containing information surrounding cumulative battery recycling data. 2016: 2177lbs, 2017: 2221lbs, 2018: 3255lbs, 2019: 5618lbs, 2020: 8955lbs, 2021: 6364.5lbs, 2022: 8110.5, 2023: 14,472lbs

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!

Bin Request Form Bin Pick-Up Form

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.

Alkaline

Carbon Zinc

Lead/Lead Acid

Lithium Ion

Nickel Cadmium

Nickel Metal Hydride

Bin Locations

Building	Room/Area
3D Arts Building	Ask Brian
AU Hotel & Dixon Conference Center	Operations Office
Bailey Hospital	Outside Room 0405C
Biggin Hall	Room 108
Broun Hall	Near Loading Dock
Brown-Kopel	Room 1167
CASIC	Room 285
Cater Hall	Room 111
Coliseum	Score Office - Room 1120
College of Education Building	1221 Z - Copy Room
College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment Building	First Floor Recycling Room
College of Veterinary Medicine	OIT Office
Corley Building	Room 217
Crop Improvement Association Building	Need to Ask
Davis Hall	Room 212
Dudley Hall	Room 221
Duncan Hall	Room 234
Equine Research Lab Building	Main Room
EW Shell Fisheries Center	Break Room
Extension Hall	Entryway hall
Facilities Management Complex	Stock Room
Foy Hall	2nd Floor Welcome Desk
Funchess Hall	Room 101
Funchess Hall	Room 201
Funchess Hall	330 Warner Lab
Glenn Rd Admin Offices	Lobby
Gorrie Center	Room 118K
Greene Hall	Outside Room 150
Greene Hall	Room 262D
Haley Center	Mailroom (Basement)
Haley Center	Room 3084
Haley Center	Room 7080 (Poli Sci Dept)
Haley Center	Room 6075
Haley Center	Speech and Hearing Clinic
Harbert Center	Room 238
Hargis Hall	Room 201D
Hoerlein Hall	Outside Room 579
Horton Hardgrave	Room 1017
Horton Hardgrave	Room 3047
Langdon Annex	Downstairs Hall
Langdon Hall	Registrar's Office Breakroom
Lowder Hall	Room 016
Lowder Hall	Room 017
Lowder Hall	Room 331
National Poultry Technology Center	Need to Ask
Medical Clinic	Need to Ask
Mell Classroom Building	Information Desk
OD Smith Hall	Room 301
OIT Building	First Floor Break Room
OIT Building	Second Floor Break Room
OIT Building	Third Floor Break Room
Poultry Science	Room 101 A
Poultry Science	Room 201
President's House - AU Events Center	Gift Wrap Room
Ramsay	Room 303
Rane	Culinary Room 114
RBD Library	1022 Mailroom
RBD Library	First Floor Circulation Desk
RBD Library	Room 2339
Recreation & Wellness Center	Auburn Outdoors
Recreation & Wellness Center	Room 0315
Ross Hall	Room 207
Rouse Life Sciences	Room 101
Samford Hall	Room 023
Sciences Center Laboratory Building	Room 508
Scott-Ritchey Research Center	Room 118
Shelby Center	Room 1301L
Shelby Center	Room 3301
Stadium Parking Deck	Access Control Offices
Student Center	Student Media Room 1105M
Student Center	Staging Area Beside Loading Dock
Swingle Hall	First Floor SW Stairwell
Tichenor Hall	Room 302
Upchurch Hall	Room 219
Vaughn Large Animal Hospital	Room 1119
Walker Building	3306 - Drug Discovery and Development

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 | sms0081@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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find a list of frequently asked questions to help provide additional information about the Battery Recycling Program. If you have further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Who can participate in this program?

The Auburn University Battery Recycling Program is available to faculty, staff, and students living in on-campus residence halls. The program is intended to support university operations and campus residential communities.

How large are the recycling boxes?

The standard battery bins measure 10 in x 10 in.

A transparent bucket with a white lid.

How often are battery bins collected and processed?

During the fall and spring semesters, battery recycling bins are typically collected monthly. Over the summer semester, we collect bins twice. Following collection, batteries are sorted, weighed, and prepared for shipment to certified recycling partners.

What do I do if a bin is full or needs service?

If you encounter a full bin or notice that a location needs service, please submit a service request by completing the Bin Pick-Up Form.

What should I do if I find a leaking or damaged battery?

Do not place leaking or damaged batteries in the recycling bin. Avoid handling the battery directly if possible. Contact Risk Management & Safety (RMS) for proper guidance. If there is an immediate safety concern (such as smoke or fire), call 911.

Are there any batteries that are not accepted?

While we accept most battery types, some may require special handling and are not accepted in standard collection bins. These include large automotive batteries, industrial batteries, or batteries that are leaking or damaged. Please contact Risk Management and Safety for guidance on the proper disposal of specialty or large-scale battery waste.

How can I recycle personal batteries if I live off campus?

Residents living off campus are encouraged to use local community recycling resources. The City of Auburn Environmental Services Department provides battery recycling options at designated collection sites. Please visit the City of Auburn’s website for current drop-off locations and guidelines.

Is there a cost associated with battery recycling on campus?

No. There is no cost for eligible campus participants to recycle batteries through the Auburn University Battery Recycling Program. The service is provided by Risk Management & Safety and the Office of Sustainability, with both units providing staffing and financial support.