MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Berkeley County officials are urging residents to think twice before throwing away old lithium-ion batteries, warning that improper disposal can create serious fire and explosion hazards at local waste facilities.
The reminder comes as the county works to reduce the risk of fires at its landfill and convenience centers, where damaged, defective or recalled lithium-ion batteries can ignite if crushed, punctured or exposed to extreme conditions.
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County officials emphasized that lithium-ion batteries should never be placed in household garbage or recycling bins.
Growing Fire Risk at Waste Facilities
Lithium-ion batteries power a wide range of everyday devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, power tools, e-bikes and rechargeable household electronics.
While convenient and widely used, the batteries can become dangerous when damaged or improperly disposed of. According to county officials, discarded batteries have the potential to cause fires, explosions and thermal events that threaten workers, equipment and waste facilities.
To address those concerns, Berkeley County is encouraging residents to use designated disposal locations rather than placing batteries in regular trash.
Where Residents Can Dispose of Batteries
Residents looking to dispose of damaged, defective or recalled lithium-ion batteries should contact the Berkeley County Solid Waste Department to schedule a drop-off appointment at the Oakley Road Convenience Center, located at 606 Oakley Road in Moncks Corner.
County officials said residents can call 843-719-2383 or 843-719-2386 to coordinate a drop-off time.
The service is available only to Berkeley County residents, and proof of residency is required.
Officials noted that automotive batteries and wet-cell batteries will not be accepted through the program.
Batteries Recycled for Future Use
Berkeley Electric Cooperative also serves as a collection site for lithium-ion batteries.
Once collected, the batteries will be sent to Redwood Materials, a battery recycling company located in Berkeley County.
The materials recovered from the batteries will be processed and reused in electric vehicle batteries and other clean energy technologies, helping divert potentially hazardous waste from landfills while supporting the growing domestic battery supply chain.
County officials say proper disposal not only reduces fire risks but also allows valuable battery materials to be recycled and put back into productive use.
For additional information about lithium-ion battery disposal, residents are encouraged to contact the Berkeley County Solid Waste Department.
