Stop the Spark: Properly Dispose of Rechargeable Batteries to Prevent Fires

A fire erupting at a landfill.

Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte are encouraging residents and businesses to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries to avoid fires in the waste processing system, including collection trucks, landfills and recycling centers.  

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste facilities have experienced more than two dozen fires this year due to lithium-ion/rechargeable batteries being improperly disposed. Calculators, power drills, scooters, and other common household items containing lithium-ion batteries have sparked fires.

“A $5 item could result in thousands of dollars of damages to our processing facilities and equipment if it’s not properly disposed of – not to mention the danger it can pose to staff and first responders,” said Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Director Jeff Smithberger. “Residents play a crucial role in keeping these batteries out of our waste processing system. If residents are not sure if their items contain lithium-ion batteries, they’re welcome to bring them to a facility and our staff will take care of it for free.”  

Lithium-ion batteries can be found in items like vapes, laptops, cell phones, watches, wireless headphones, handheld power tools, and children’s toys. These batteries may be single-use or rechargeable. Typically, these batteries are labeled as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad).  

If these items are thrown in garbage or recycling bins or make their way to a processing facility, they can quickly become a fire hazard.

"Incorrect disposal of batteries and any household hazardous waste is a serious issue, posing health, safety and financial risks when they are compacted inside a collection truck,” said Esperanza Dash, City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services. “If a fire catches, not only does it put the safety of the driver in question and cause damage to the vehicle, it can spread in your neighborhood, endanger families, and trigger an emergency response."

Residents should drop off their batteries at a facility equipped to safely process them. They should never be placed in a curbside cart. Acceptable drop-off locations include:  

These facilities are open Monday-Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. William R. Davie is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed on Wednesdays.  

Batteries collected at these facilities are processed by specialty firms that either disassemble the batteries or dispose of them in a hazardous waste landfill.

Unwanted recyclables—including lithium-ion batteries, working electronics, sensitive paper documents, and textiles—will also be collected at a take-back event at Compost Central on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.  

Improperly disposed batteries can have serious impacts on garbage/recycling bins and at disposal centers. Download the photos and videos.