Throwing rechargeable batteries in a recycling bin or the garbage can put property and people’s lives at risk. In fact, fires traced to lithium-ion batteries have been reported at recycling facilities nationwide, and fires have started in the garbage trucks that go to your home.
These batteries power our cell phones, cordless power tools, and even hoverboards. According to a recent Resource Recycling article, they have components that are flammable. The battery heats up when shorted or damaged, and when that happens, they produce oxygen, which facilitates combustion.
“Production of these batteries continues to increase,” said SWA Director of Facility Contract Operations Ray Schauer. “The fact that we are experiencing an increase in fires at our facilities is cause for serious concern.”
Fortunately, Palm Beach County residents can dispose of rechargeable (non-alkaline) batteries at any of the SWA's seven Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.
Regular alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 volt) can be placed in your garbage. But any other type of battery (rechargeable, nickel-cadmium, automotive, lithium-ion, cell phone, lead-acid) should be dropped at one of the Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.
The SWA’s locations include (from north county to south county):
- Jupiter
North County Transfer Station
14185 N. Military Trail (SWA Road) in Jupiter
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. - West Palm Beach
Home Chemical and Recycling Center
6161 N. Jog Road in West Palm Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Belle Glade
Glades Regional Transfer Station
1701 State Road 15 in Belle Glade
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Royal Palm Beach
West Central Transfer Station
9743 Weisman Way (formerly Process Way) in Royal Palm Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Lantana
Central County Transfer Station
1810 Lantana Road in Lantana
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Delray Beach – West
Southwest County Transfer Station
13400 S. State Road 7 in Delray Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Delray Beach – East
South County Transfer Station
1901 SW 4th Ave. in Delray Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
In addition to these locations, many major retailers will recycle batteries for free and have drop-off containers placed near the front of their stores.
“We’re asking all Palm Beach County residents to please never throw rechargeable batteries either in the garbage or your recycling bin,” said Schauer. “The best place for Palm Beach County residents to take their old batteries is to one of the SWA’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.”
Watch the SWA’s lithium-ion battery commercial:
Check out the SWA’s video about the dangers of putting combustible items in your trash:
Review the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Homeowner’s Guide To Battery Recycling And Disposal.
Commercial quantities of batteries may require special disposal. Call (561) 687-1100 for details on recycling batteries from your business.
In the last fiscal year, Palm Beach County residents recycled:
- 57,460 pounds of lead-acid batteries
- 6,896 pounds of mixed batteries
- 3,400 pounds of ni-cad batteries
- 2,280 pounds of lithium-ion batteries
at the SWA’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. Each year, the SWA’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers either recycles or safely disposes of more than 4M pounds of household hazardous wastes.
Remember, pollution prevention starts at home. A full list of household hazardous wastes can be found at SWA.org/HCRC or call (561) 697-2700 or (866) SWA-INFO (toll-free) to learn more about the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.
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