Ensenada’s city government will host a free battery recycling drive on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Centro Cultural Riviera. Residents can drop off used alkaline household batteries at no cost and with no registration required.
The event, called “Baja las Pilas,” accepts AA, AAA, C, and D alkaline batteries only. It is organized by the municipal Ecology and Environment Subdirectorate through its Reciclando Ensenada program. Baja California’s state environmental agency, the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable (SMADS), is also supporting the effort.
Why Battery Recycling Matters in Baja
Used alkaline batteries cannot legally be thrown in regular household trash in Mexico. When batteries end up in landfills, they can leach zinc, manganese, and other metals into soil and groundwater. Organized collection events like this one give residents a rare, convenient disposal option.
In Baja California, permanent battery drop-off points are scarce compared to cities on the U.S. side of the border. San Diego, for example, offers year-round battery recycling at county libraries and household hazardous waste facilities. South of the border, residents typically depend on periodic municipal drives like this one.
Part of Ensenada’s Punto Verde Initiative
The battery collection falls under Ensenada’s broader “Punto Verde” green initiative, which organizes recycling events throughout the year. The timing coincides with World Recycling Day, observed annually on May 17.
The Centro Cultural Riviera, where the event will take place, is located on Boulevard Costero in the heart of Ensenada’s tourist and commercial zone, near the waterfront. The venue is familiar to most residents and easy to reach from the Zona Centro.
Only household alkaline batteries will be accepted. The drive does not cover lithium batteries, car batteries, or rechargeable battery packs. Residents should sort their batteries by type before arriving.
This story was first reported by Ensenada.net.