You probably already know that batteries and cell phones both contain toxic materials such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury and many other materials that threaten human health and the environment. In fact, both batteries and cell phones are now classified as Universal Waste and are banned from disposal with garbage and must be handled properly.

I wanted to make sure you know that single-family residents in the RethinkWaste service area (including Redwood City) can now conveniently recycle household batteries and cell phones at the curb. Information is provided on how to do this in the pullquote below — for more information on special recycling services, visit  Recology’’s website at www.recologysanmateocounty.com/single_family_beyond_the_cart.php for important instructions on how to do this).

With button batteries taped to paper, place them [battery sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, and all others, both rechargeable and single use] in a sealed plastic bag on top of your blue Recycle cart for collection. We will take them away for you and safely, properly recycle them. Please be sure to place the sealed bag on top of your blue cart, not inside it.

You can also recycle your old cell phone. Just wrap it in paper and place in the sealed plastic bag along with your batteries.

For information on how and where to recycle other materials, please visit www.rethinkwaste.org and www.recycleworks.org.

— Malcolm Smith
— Public Communications Manager