Nearly 40 lithium-ion battery fires have hit Mecklenburg County recycling centers, the landfill and collection trucks in 2026, the county Fire Marshal's Office said.

That count is up from more than two dozen battery-related fires at county solid waste facilities in all of 2025. Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal Matt Bixler is now asking residents to rethink how they charge and dispose of the rechargeable batteries found in phones, laptops, e-bikes, power tools and vapes.

The safety push applies to all Mecklenburg County residents, including those in Ballantyne and south Charlotte. Two of the county's five free battery drop-off centers sit within a short drive of the Ballantyne area.

The campaign comes ahead of Fire Prevention Week, which runs Sunday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 10. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) chose the theme "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower" for the second straight year, keeping the spotlight on lithium-ion hazards.

"Fire prevention is about recognizing risks before something happens," Bixler said in the county's Fire Prevention Week release. "Something as simple as where and how you charge a device can help prevent a fire in your home."

Bixler became county Fire Marshal in October 2025 after seven years as a deputy fire marshal. In a Sept. 20 county profile, he called keeping pace with new technology one of his biggest challenges. Lithium-ion batteries store large amounts of energy in a small space and can overheat, catch fire or explode if damaged or used improperly, according to the county release.

Bixler's office recommends charging devices only with the cord that came with them or one approved by the manufacturer. Devices should be charged on hard, flat surfaces, not on beds, couches or other soft materials that trap heat.

Warning signs of a failing battery include unusual heat, a change in shape, leaking, strange odors and popping or hissing sounds. Stop using the device immediately.

Where to drop off batteries

Rechargeable batteries should never go in household trash or curbside recycling bins. Batteries can be crushed during collection and processing, which is how fires start in trucks and at facilities like the Pence Road Materials Recovery Facility in Charlotte, according to the county's solid waste page.

Mecklenburg County residents can drop off rechargeable batteries for free at any staffed full-service solid waste center. Five locations accept them:

  • Compost Central, 140 Valleydale Road, Charlotte
  • Foxhole Disposal and Recycling Center, 17131 Lancaster Highway, Charlotte
  • Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center, 8007 Pence Road, Charlotte
  • North Mecklenburg Disposal and Recycling Center, 12300 N. Statesville Road, Huntersville
  • William R. Davie Staffed Recycling Center, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte

The Foxhole center on Lancaster Highway and the William R. Davie center on Pineville-Matthews Road are the closest options for Ballantyne residents.

Standard single-use batteries such as AA, AAA, C and D can go in the trash.

Residents can find drop-off hours and additional information at the county's battery disposal page.