​Don’t Ignite, Recycle Right

​Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Department wants to remind residents that lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, and devices that have these batteries are highly flammable when punctured. They cannot be thrown away in the trash or your recycling bin. Lithium-ion batteries need special handling. To recycle them properly bring them to our Full-Service Drop-Off Centers free of charge. 

“Recently a commercial truck dropped off rechargeable batteries with its regular load of materials.  Luckily, our staff caught this and gathered them up,” said Jeff Smithberger, director of the Solid Waste Management Program. “If not caught, this poses a serious fire hazard.” 

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many products such as electronics and power tools. They contain volatile chemicals which can react with other materials and pose a serious fire hazard. If the devices and/or lithium-ion batteries are not disposed properly at the end of their useful life, they can cause harm to human health or to the environment.