Batteries, bulbs and paint: the separate programs

Oregon E-Cycles handles covered electronics only. Loose batteries, fluorescent bulbs and leftover paint each travel a different route — and getting batteries out of the trash matters, because they start fires in garbage trucks and recycling facilities.

Why batteries get special handling

The EPA advises removing batteries from devices before recycling them and says lithium-ion batteries, and devices containing them, should not go in household trash or recycling bins. Oregon's waste haulers describe the result when they do: Waste Dive reported that Rogue Waste sees battery-caused fires about once a week at some of its facilities, and that Recology counted 58 battery-related fires in 12 months at the Metro transfer stations it operates.

Where batteries can go today

Portland area: Metro

Metro, the Portland-area regional government, runs two household hazardous waste facilities, and disposal there is free for households, up to 35 gallons per day measured by container size. Accepted items include batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, cleaning products, pool chemicals and more; electric vehicle batteries are not accepted. Businesses need a permit, an appointment and a fee.

• Metro Central, 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland — Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Metro South, 2001 Washington St, Oregon City — daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both close on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Metro also runs community collection events and an "ask an expert" line at 503-234-3000 (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) — check the Metro hazardous waste page before you go.

Elsewhere in Oregon

DEQ keeps a list of household hazardous waste collection programs by county. DEQ also co-hosts free one-day events; one in Burns in April 2025, for example, accepted batteries, fluorescent tubes and mercury-containing devices, with waste in containers of 5 gallons or less.

Oregon's new battery law (HB 4144)

In 2026 Oregon passed House Bill 4144, creating a statewide battery producer responsibility program. Gov. Tina Kotek signed it on April 7, 2026. Key points from the legislative press release and trade coverage:

• Covers portable and medium-format batteries, rechargeable and single-use, up to 25 pounds.
• Excludes devices already covered by Oregon E-Cycles, certain medical-device batteries and batteries not designed to be removed.
• The first program plan is due to DEQ by September 1, 2028; the program starts July 1, 2029.
• Goal: 95% of residents within 15 miles of a collection site, and at least one site in every city of 4,000 or more people.

Until then, use the options above.

Fluorescent tubes and CFLs

CFLs and fluorescent tubes contain mercury. DEQ says to recycle them at a household hazardous waste facility or event, or at a retail location, and points to the lighting industry's lamprecycle.org for more information. The EPA suggests calling stores first, since some take only certain bulb types, and keeping unbroken bulbs in their original boxes.

If a bulb breaks, the EPA's cleanup steps are: get people and pets out, open a window and leave for 5–10 minutes, turn off forced-air heating or cooling, scoop up pieces with stiff paper and sticky tape into a sealed jar or bag, avoid vacuuming, and move the debris outdoors.

Paint

Oregon was the first state to pass a paint stewardship law, in 2009; the program began as a pilot in July 2010 and was made permanent in 2013. It is funded by a fee on paint sold in Oregon and run by PaintCare under DEQ oversight. PaintCare's website has a drop-off site locator.