Recycle batteries : FBA re-establishes battery recycling program at two grocery stores

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Beautification Alliance (FBA) is happy to report that it will be resuming its collection of household batteries for recycling at the local Albertson's and Major Market grocery stores.

The program had been temporarily suspended; however, with the support of EDCO Waste & Recycling Service in Fallbrook, the program has resumed in February.

The FBA drop-off containers in Major Market are located inside the store, between the door and the first checkout stand near the customer service area, and in Albertson’s, inside the store at both entrances. A third drop off location, managed by the Fallbrook Library, is located inside the library in the copy room.

EDCOs willingness to partner with the FBA is what has enabled this program to continue.

"We support Fallbrook and the FBA’s efforts to make our village a cleaner, safer and more beautiful place," said EDCO manager Angela Johnson. "As EDCO’s logo states, recycling today provides for a better tomorrow."

Fallbrook Village Rotary members Stan Neiman and Morgan Cadmus volunteer their time to assist the FBA by picking-up and transporting the discarded batteries to EDCO regularly, sometimes as often as two or three times a week. Since starting this program seven years ago, the FBA estimates that residents have dropped off close to 450,000 used, dead, and damaged batteries.

All batteries are considered hazardous waste in California when they are discarded. This includes all batteries of sizes AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9 Volt, both rechargeable and single use.

Batteries are considered hazardous because of the metals and/or other toxic or corrosive materials contained within and therefore by law they may not be thrown away in regular curb side trash or recycling containers.

Instead, they must be disposed of at an authorized recycling location which, in Fallbrook, is at EDCO Waste & Recycling Services located at 550 W. Aviation Road. To make it easier for Fallbrook residents to properly get rid of this hazardous waste, FBA, partnering with these Fallbrook Village Rotary volunteers, provides and maintains the drop stations.

Only small quantities of household batteries should be dropped off at these convenient drop off locations. Larger drop offs should be taken directly to EDCO.

Those residents who are passionate about the beautification of the Fallbrook area and would like to join the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance board of directors are welcome to contact Jerri Patchett at (760) 723-8635.