Throwing away lithium-ion batteries can be hazardous, causing fires at recycling centers, landfills, and garbage trucks. However, these batteries contain valuable minerals that specialty recyclers can recover. They should not be placed in blue or green recycling carts due to the risk of fire.
Fortunately, there are alternatives. Many states require retailers to accept battery recycling, and some offer rewards for participating. For instance, in North Carolina, all battery retailers must recycle them. You can find local recycling centers using services like Waste Wizard or Call2Recycle.
Additionally, Wake County’s Household Hazardous Waste Facilities accept batteries, but the North Wake site is currently closed due to a fire. Taking the time to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for protecting workers and the environment while minimizing risk of fires.
Source: https://raleighnc.gov/landfill-and-reuse/news/how-safely-dispose-batteries