Lithium-ion batteries have never been accepted in Meridian Waste carts or containers. Starting December 1, 2026, North Carolina law also bans them from landfills and incinerators. Here's what counts and where to take them instead.
What's not changing, what's new and what to do with your batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries have never been accepted in Meridian Waste carts or containers. Please keep them out now, not just after December 1.
Starting December 1, 2026, North Carolina law bans lithium-ion batteries from landfills and incinerators. Putting them in the trash will be against state law.
If it's rechargeable, it's most likely lithium-ion: phones, vapes, toothbrushes, power tools, e-bikes and more.
Keep batteries out of your trash and recycling carts, store them safely and take them to a drop-off site. Find one near you.
When a lithium-ion battery gets crushed in a truck or at a facility, it can spark and catch fire.
Fires inside a truck put the people who collect your trash in danger.
Batteries hidden in a load can ignite at transfer stations and landfills.
A fire can start on your street, in your garage or in the cart itself.
That's why lithium-ion batteries have never been accepted in our carts and containers, and why North Carolina is making it law on December 1. Keeping them out is one of the easiest ways to protect our crews and your community.
These batteries are in a lot more than phones. Common examples include:
Stop using the device. Keep it in a well-ventilated area away from anything flammable, and take it to a household hazardous waste site or event as soon as you can.
We serve 27 counties across North Carolina. Most county drop-off sites are for household batteries only, and hours can change, so check with your county before you go.
Quick answers about the new law and what it means for your cart.
No. Lithium-ion batteries have never been accepted in Meridian Waste carts or containers. The only thing changing on December 1, 2026 is that it also becomes North Carolina law.
December 1, 2026. Starting that day, North Carolina law bans lithium-ion batteries from landfills and incinerators. They were already not accepted in Meridian Waste carts and containers.
Lithium-ion batteries. According to NC DEQ, anything with a rechargeable battery is generally going to be lithium-ion. That includes phones, laptops, vapes, electric toothbrushes and shavers, power tools, e-bike and scooter batteries and rechargeable toys.
No. Lithium-ion batteries don't belong in your trash cart or your recycling cart. Take them to a battery drop-off site or a participating retailer instead.
No. Lithium-ion batteries are not accepted in any Meridian Waste cart or container. Please use a county drop-off site or a participating retailer.
It depends on your county. Some accept devices like phones and laptops with the battery inside through electronics recycling. If the battery can't be removed, such as in some toothbrushes and hoverboards, check with your county for a household hazardous waste site or event.
Follow your county's instructions. Wake County asks residents to tape the ends with clear, non-conductive tape or bag each battery separately. Chatham County asks residents not to tape them because staff handle it at drop-off.
Most county household sites don't accept batteries from businesses. Businesses can use the Battery Network locator or work with a battery recycler.
Source: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, landfill disposal bans (G.S. 130A-309.10). County links and drop-off information come from county websites and may change. This page is for general information and is not legal advice.
