Throwing rechargeable batteries into 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.
Rechargeable batteries power our cell phones, laptops, cordless power tools and even hover boards. These batteries have components that are flammable. If the battery is shorted or damaged, it heats up and produces oxygen, which facilitates combustion.
Fortunately, Palm Beach County residents can dispose of rechargeable (non-alkaline) batteries for free 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 SWA’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.
The SWA’s locations include (from north county to south county):
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.
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.
Glades Regional Transfer Station
1701 State Road 15 in Belle Glade
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
West Central Transfer Station
9743 Weisman Way in Royal Palm Beach
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central County Transfer Station
1810 Lantana Road in Lantana
Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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.
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.
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:
- 80,120 pounds of lead acid batteries
- 20,777 pounds of mixed batteries
- 15,702 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 4.9M pounds of household hazardous wastes.
Learn more about how to properly dispose of batteries with the following resources:
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.
