Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte are urging residents and businesses to dispose of lithium-ion batteries properly to prevent fires in waste processing systems, including collection trucks, landfills, and recycling centers.
According to Mecklenburg County Solid Waste facilities, there have been more than two dozen fires this year caused by improper disposal of lithium-ion or rechargeable batteries. Items such as calculators, power drills, scooters, and other household products containing these batteries have been linked to fire incidents.
“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 are found in devices such as vapes, laptops, cell phones, watches, wireless headphones, handheld power tools, and children’s toys. These may be single-use or rechargeable types labeled as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad).
Improper disposal—such as placing these items in garbage or recycling bins—can create fire hazards at various points in the waste management process.
“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 from 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.”
Officials recommend that residents drop off their used batteries at designated facilities rather than placing them curbside. The following locations accept battery drop-offs:
– Compost Central: 140 Valleydale Road
– Foxhole Disposal and Recycling Center: 17131 Lancaster Highway
– Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center: 8007 Pence Road
– North Mecklenburg Disposal and Recycling Center: 12300 N. Statesville Road
– William R. Davie Staffed Recycling Center: 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road
Most sites operate Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while William R. Davie is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Wednesdays.
Collected batteries are processed by specialized firms that either disassemble them or dispose of them safely as hazardous waste.
A take-back event for unwanted recyclables—including lithium-ion batteries—will be held at Compost Central on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. until noon.
The county has also seen changes elsewhere; enrollment at Mecklenburg County schools dropped by 0.4% during the 2022-23 school year compared with the previous year (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/), with total enrollment reaching about 153,537 students (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/).
Improperly disposed batteries continue to present risks for both garbage/recycling bins and disposal centers.
