The San Francisco Environment Department (SF Environment) and Redwood Materials are rolling out a new and innovative technology for recapturing lithium-ion batteries and devices. San Francisco is the first city in the nation to offer this new technology: fully automated drop-off bins that accept mixed batteries and battery-embedded products with zero prep or sorting required. Nothing like this has existed before to unlock safe, city-wide collection and recycling for battery-embedded products.
Redwood Materials, an energy and critical materials company, engineered these battery recovery and recycling bins and are placing them at eight locations across the city. In addition to accepting loose lithium-ion batteries, the new bins will accept small, rechargeable devices with embedded batteries, like phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, electric razors, headphones, and small wireless devices. From the outside, it looks as simple as dropping a device into a slot, but inside, each unit is engineered with a sophisticated sensing and materials-management system operating continuously in the background.
“San Francisco is the place to be for companies driving the future of climate innovation and new technology,” said Mayor Lurie. “These new battery recovery and recycling bins are a great example of how our city is continuing to innovate and make recycling easier and safer for everyone. Thank you to Redwood Materials for standing up new battery recycling bins across the city.”
Lithium-ion batteries are notoriously difficult to collect because they come in so many shapes, sizes, and chemistries—and can catch fire if mishandled. With batteries now powering everything from electric vehicles to e-bikes to toothbrushes, keeping them out of trash and landfill is increasingly critical. The City has long had multiple ways for residents and businesses to safely recycle their lithium-ion batteries, but this is the first technology that specifically targets battery-embedded devices and represents a giant step forward for the safe recovery of a different category of lithium-ion batteries.
“San Francisco continues to lead in developing solutions that protect our environment,” said Lieutenant Ken Smith, Public Information Officer at the San Francisco Fire Department.Ìý“Providing convenient, community-based locations where residents can safely recycle batteries just makes sense, and we’re excited to see the impact of the program.”
“Electronics are one of the largest untapped sources of critical materials, such as cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper, which are essential to powering our energy future. But today, only 16% of these devices are ever recycled, and these materials get stranded in America’s junk drawers or sent to landfills,” said Alexis Georgeson, Redwood’s Vice President of External Affairs and Consumer Recycling Programs. “Our new Battery Bins use first-of-their-kind, patented technology to safely capture these materials at scale. We’re thrilled to partner with The City and County of San Francisco, SF Environment and local businesses to make recycling easier than ever.”
This deployment builds on San Francisco’s long history of environmental leadership. The city’s Climate Action Plan—originally developed nearly 30 years ago—has driven innovations ranging from the pioneering three-bin waste system to major clean-energy expansion. “Battery disposal is a very serious matter, and batteries should always be disposed of properly and safely,” said SF Environment Director Tyrone Jue. “Expanding innovative recycling options for embedded batteries is essential as the world transitions to cleaner electric technologies. We are excited to welcome Redwood Material’s new Battery Bins and add greater support and convenience to San Francisco’s battery recycling ecosystem.”
Redwood’s new Battery Bins will initially be available at four Cole Hardware locations, three Sports Basement stores, and at Four Embarcadero Center, with additional placements coming. “Helping make everyday tasks easier for our neighbors is what Cole Hardware is all about,” said Cole Hardware Co-Owner Rick Karp. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Redwood Materials and SF Environment to make battery and device recycling safer and more convenient for communities across San Francisco.”