North Charlotte Today

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste is encouraging residents and businesses to dispose of rechargeable batteries properly to prevent fires in waste processing systems, which include collection trucks, landfills, and recycling centers. These rechargeable batteries often come as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) or nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad).

According to the department, "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 are found in various items such as vapes, laptops, cell phones, watches, wireless headphones, handheld power tools, and electronic toys. These may be either single-use or rechargeable.

To mitigate fire risks, the public and businesses are advised to drop these items off at designated full-service recycling centers. "If you can’t remove the rechargeable battery, please bring in the entire device."

Residents can dispose of these items at several recycling centers, which are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The locations include Compost Central at 140 Valleydale Road, Foxhole Disposal and Recycling Center at 17131 Lancaster Highway, Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center at 8007 Pence Road, and North Mecklenburg Disposal and Recycling Center at 12300 N. Statesville Road in Huntersville.