Drop off Rechargeable Batteries at Full-Service Recycling Centers

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste is urging residents and businesses to properly dispose of rechargeable batteries to help prevent fires in the waste processing system which includes collection trucks, landfills and recycling centers. Typically, these rechargeable batteries are labeled as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad).

Standard batteries (for example, AA, AAA, 9 volt and D cells that don’t recharge) can be thrown in the household garbage. However, lithium-ion batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries must be disposed of properly. If your electronic device contains a rechargeable battery and is disposed of in the trash or recycling with other items, it creates a fire hazard.  

Lithium-ion batteries can be found in items like vapes, laptops, cell phones, watches, wireless headphones, handheld power tools, and electronic toys. These batteries may be single-use or rechargeable.  

To prevent the risk of fire, residents and commercial businesses are strongly encouraged to drop these items off at a full-service recycling center. If you can’t remove the rechargeable battery, please bring in the entire device.

• Compost Central, 140 Valleydale Road, Charlotte
• Foxhole Disposal and Recycling Center, 17131 Lancaster Highway, Charlotte
• Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center, 8007 Pence Road, Charlotte
• North Mecklenburg Disposal and Recycling Center, 12300 N. Statesville Road, Huntersville

Full-service recycling centers are open Monday – Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.