Dispose of batteries correctly
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Residents are urged to learn how to dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely and properly.
Lithium-ion batteries are household hazardous waste and should be disposed of differently than household garbage that is collected curbside in Highlands County.
If lithium-ion batteries end up in household garbage, the most serious cause for concern would be the potential for fires to start, whether it is in a garbage bin, in a garbage truck, or at the County’s landfill.
According to representatives from Fire Rover, a West Bloomfield, Michigan-based fire safety and suppression company, 50% of the fires at facilities are due to lithium-ion batteries, and about 50% are traditional hazards that cause fires, including propane tanks, accelerants, chemicals, flares, hot charcoal, cigarette butts and more.
As part of its HHW program, Highlands County accepts car, boat, and truck batteries as well as nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hybrid and lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in cell phones, power tools, digital cameras, laptops, children’s toys, e-cigarettes, small and large appliances, tablets, and e-readers.
So, where can you take these kinds of batteries?
Starting Sept. 1, 2025, residents can take them to the Highlands County Recycling Center at 6000 Skipper Road in Sebring. Operating hours will be Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.