Summary
Kawasaki City (川崎市) has officially announced a new rule, effective November 2025 (Reiwa 7), changing the collection category for used household rechargeable batteries — including lithium-ion batteries and mobile batteries — to “Small Metal Items” (小物金属).
Key Points from the Official Notice
- According to Kawasaki City’s official notice, from November 2025, rechargeable batteries and mobile batteries are to be placed out on the twice-monthly Small Metal Items collection day.
- According to the official notice, covered batteries include lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride types. Batteries that cannot be removed may be placed out together with the appliance.
- According to the official notice, the correct procedure is: ① insulate the terminals with clear tape → ② place in a clear bag and tie the top → ③ attach a label with the item name, then bring to the designated recyclables collection point.
- According to the official notice, the following items are not accepted: car batteries, desktop/laptop computers, portable power stations, and electric kick scooters with license plates (including their batteries).
- According to the official notice, items with a longest dimension of 30 cm or more must be disposed of as “Oversized Items” (粗大ごみ) via a separate application with a processing fee. Items covered by JBRC (Japan Portable Rechargeable Battery Recycling Center) can be dropped off at collection points or local environmental service offices free of charge.
What Users Should Check
- Confirm whether your rechargeable batteries or mobile batteries qualify as accepted items. Note that alkaline dry-cell batteries and lithium coin batteries continue to be disposed of under the existing “used dry-cell battery” (使用済み乾電池) category.
- Swollen or deformed batteries should be placed in a separate clear bag from normal batteries, with a label such as “lithium — swollen” attached.
- For items not covered by this rule, such as portable power stations, consult the place of purchase, the manufacturer, or your local environmental service office.
For the most current and accurate information, always check the official page.