Not everything belongs in your curbside recycling bin—and some things definitely shouldn’t end up in the trash. From dead batteries and burnt-out bulbs to old paint, cords, or worn-out cookware, Salt Lake City offers several ways to responsibly recycle or dispose of common household items. This guide covers the smaller, trickier things that don’t fit into appliance or electronics recycling programs, helping you keep harmful materials out of landfills and your home clutter-free.
Battery recycling
When batteries die, replace them with rechargeable types instead of single-use alkaline–especially if you go through a lot with video game controllers, toys, remotes, and other gadgets. Rechargeable batteries cost more up front, but can be recharged hundreds of times, lasting years and saving you money overall, in addition to creating less landfill waste. The replacement process can be gradual too; I have waited for existing alkaline batteries to die before replacing them with rechargeable, one device at a time.
I like this EBL Battery Charger and there are plenty of rechargeable battery options like these from Amazon. Unplug the charger when not in use or batteries are fully charged to save on electricity.
Help batteries last longer by keeping them in cool places and turning off gadgets when not in use.
Where to recycle batteries in Salt Lake City
Alkaline batteries
Alkaline batteries are considered ‘safe’ to throw away, so keeping them out of the landfill is difficult. The only drop-off locations I have been able to find include:
- IKEA
- Salt Lake Valley Landfill hazardous waste
- Staples
- Recycle Utah in Park City.
- Batteries Plus is another option, but they will charge you $2 per pound.
Rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries—Lithium-Ion (L-Ion), Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Small Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)—can be dropped off for recycling at:
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Batteries Plus (which charges a fee
- Staples
- Murray City Public Works
- Salt Lake Valley Landfill hazardous waste
- Recycle Utah in Park City
Car batteries & lead-acid batteries
Under Utah state law, it is illegal to dispose of car and lead-acid batteries; you must recycle them. In addition, any retailer selling these batteries is required to offer recycling services for them. Therefore, any auto parts store will accept car batteries for recycling. You can also drop them off at Murray City Public Works and the Salt Lake Valley Landfill hazardous waste.
Light bulbs
If you haven’t already, switch to LED bulbs, the most environmentally-friendly light bulbs available. They use 75-90% less energy and last up to 25-30 times longer than incandescent lighting, and five times longer than CFL. They also don’t contain any hazardous chemicals. Learn more about other ways to conserve energy and resources available in Utah.
Where to recycle light bulbs in Salt Lake City
LED
LED bulbs can be recycled at Home Depot, Lowes, and IKEA.
Incandescent and Halogen
Incandescent (regular old school bulbs) and halogen bulbs are rarely recycled because they have small amounts of glass, metal, and wire that are difficult to separate. Halogen glass is thicker than other glass so it can contaminate loads if thrown in with regular glass recycling. The only drop-off recycling option I know is Batteries Plus, which recycles all types of bulbs, but they charge a fee, usually around $0.35/bulb. You could spend money on a mail-in program like EZ on the Earth, or they will have to go in the trash. (Another reason to transition to LED bulbs.)
CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light)
CFL bulbs & tubes contain mercury so don’t throw them in your trash.
Recycle fluorescent bulbs at IKEA, Lowes, and Home Depot.
Fluorescent tubes need to be disposed of in hazardous waste at the Salt Lake Valley or Trans-Jordan landfills. Drop-offs are also available at some Salt Lake County Health Department and county library locations.
Christmas lights
String Christmas lights are accepted for recycling at most scrap metal recyclers.
Recyclops is a company that specializes in hard-to-recycle items. Founded here in Utah, they currently operate in more than 30 states. Their service makes recycling these items very convenient as they pick up from your home, just as your local curbside waste and recycling does. For $15/month, they collect light bulbs, batteries, plastic films, and clothing/textiles. Clamshells are an additional $1.50/month, and Styrofoam is an extra $5/month.
Household Hazardous Waste
Many household items contain harmful chemicals that should not go into the landfill or recycling bins. These include:
- Automobile fluids, including antifreeze, motor oil, and brake fluid (click here for information on proper disposal)
- Batteries (see above)
- Fluorescent light tubes (contains mercury, see above)
- Paint
- Pesticides and weed killers
- Televisions and computer monitors (see electronic recycling)
All of these materials should be dropped off at a Salt Lake County hazardous waste facility.
Writing utensils
Where to recycle writing utensils in Salt Lake City
Staples accepts crayons, pens, pencils, and markers for recycling.
Musical instruments
Where to donate musical instruments in Salt Lake City
Used musical instruments of all kinds can be donated to the Salt Lake Academy of Music.
Recycling musical instruments
If you have a brass instrument that is beyond repair, take it to a scrap metal recycler.