San Antonio, October 11, 2025
News Summary
The City of San Antonio is organizing Battery Fest, a one-day community recycling drive focused on the safe disposal of hazardous batteries. Scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southeast Service Center, the event aims to educate residents on fire safety and encourage responsible battery recycling. Attendees can earn event passes for each battery brought, offering access to games, food, and various activities. With live music and giveaways, Battery Fest emphasizes safe handling of toxic materials and aims to surpass the 766 pounds of batteries collected in a previous drive.
San Antonio — The City of San Antonio is organizing a community recycling drive called Battery Fest, a one-day event focused on the safe disposal of hazardous batteries and public education on fire safety.
Key details
The event will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southeast Service Center, 1318 SE Loop 410 Access Road. The event is hosted by the Solid Waste Management Department and the Fire Department. Battery Fest aims to empower residents to safely dispose of old batteries, which can pose threats to human health and the environment.
What to expect at the drive
The event will educate the community about fire safety and the proper disposal of hazardous materials. Participants will receive one event pass per battery they bring for recycling. The passes can be exchanged to play games, participate in activities, or purchase food. The event will feature live music and giveaways for attendees.
The Fire Department will provide operational fire trucks and Sparky, the national fire safety mascot, at the event. Solid Waste Management will bring its mascots, Curby, Glenda, and Bart, who represent the city’s trash, recycling, and compost bins.
Why the drive matters
Batteries are classified as hazardous due to harmful chemicals they contain, including sulfuric acid, mercury, and lithium. Improperly stored or recycled old batteries can leak toxins or cause fires. This initiative coincides with Fire Prevention Week, occurring from October 5-11, and is timed to reinforce messaging about household fire risks and safe handling of hazardous materials.
Context and recent activity
The city collected 766 pounds of batteries for recycling during a previous event on October 4 and hopes to surpass this amount at the upcoming drive. Past collections and outreach help the city measure participation and plan logistics for safe handling and transport of collected hazardous material.
Operational and safety notes
Organizers are emphasizing proper handling of brought materials at drop-off points and will use trained staff to sort and secure batteries for transport to appropriate recycling or disposal facilities. The combined presence of Solid Waste Management and the Fire Department is intended to both streamline the collection process and reinforce safety protocols during the event.
Logistics for residents
Residents planning to attend should bring batteries to the Southeast Service Center during the stated hours on Saturday. Each battery dropped off will earn one event pass. Attendees can use passes at event activities or for food purchases. Live music and giveaways will be available throughout the event window.
Participation and goals
The city aims to increase community participation compared with the previous collection and to use the event to spread practical guidance on preventing battery-related fires and reducing environmental contamination. Public officials expect the event format—collection plus educational activities—to encourage broader, safer disposal habits.
Quick reference
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event name | Battery Fest |
| Date and time | Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| Location | Southeast Service Center, 1318 SE Loop 410 Access Road |
| Hosts | Solid Waste Management Department and the Fire Department |
| Purpose | Safe disposal of hazardous batteries and fire safety education |
| Entry benefit | One event pass per battery brought for recycling |
| Entertainment | Live music, giveaways, games, activities |
| Mascots and equipment | Sparky and Fire Department trucks; Curby, Glenda, and Bart |
| Previous collection | 766 pounds collected on October 4 |
Event timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 4 | The city collected 766 pounds of batteries for recycling during a previous event on October 4 and hopes to surpass this amount at the upcoming drive. | Completed (previous event) |
| Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | The event will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southeast Service Center, 1318 SE Loop 410 Access Road. | Scheduled (upcoming) |
| October 5-11 | This initiative coincides with Fire Prevention Week, occurring from October 5-11. | Ongoing during the week |
Simple visual statistic
Previous collection total:
FAQ
What is Battery Fest?
The City of San Antonio is organizing a community recycling drive called Battery Fest.
When and where will the event take place?
The event will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southeast Service Center, 1318 SE Loop 410 Access Road.
Who is hosting the event?
The event is hosted by the Solid Waste Management Department and the Fire Department.
What is the purpose of Battery Fest?
Battery Fest aims to empower residents to safely dispose of old batteries, which can pose threats to human health and the environment.
Does the event relate to any broader safety initiative?
This initiative coincides with Fire Prevention Week, occurring from October 5-11.
Will the event provide education?
The event will educate the community about fire safety and the proper disposal of hazardous materials.
Why are batteries considered hazardous?
Batteries are classified as hazardous due to harmful chemicals they contain, including sulfuric acid, mercury, and lithium.
What are the risks of improper battery disposal?
Improperly stored or recycled old batteries can leak toxins or cause fires.
What do participants receive for bringing batteries?
Participants will receive one event pass per battery they bring for recycling.
How can event passes be used?
The passes can be exchanged to play games, participate in activities, or purchase food.
What entertainment and attractions will be available?
The event will feature live music and giveaways for attendees.
What will the Fire Department bring?
The Fire Department will provide operational fire trucks and Sparky, the national fire safety mascot, at the event.
What will Solid Waste Management bring?
Solid Waste Management will bring its mascots, Curby, Glenda, and Bart, who represent the city’s trash, recycling, and compost bins.
How much was collected previously and what is the city’s expectation?
The city collected 766 pounds of batteries for recycling during a previous event on October 4 and hopes to surpass this amount at the upcoming drive.
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Current
- Wikipedia: Community Recycling Initiatives
- KSAT News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Events San Antonio
- KXXV News
- Google Search: Ercot plan San Antonio
- Aftermarket News
- Google Scholar: Local Events Impact
- Chicago Tribune
- Google News: Evanston Art Festival
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