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Battery Recycling in Wilmington, NC

The New Hanover County HHW facility takes household, rechargeable and sealed lead-acid batteries free for county residents. The landfill takes car batteries.

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Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

5 ways to get rid of a battery in Wilmington

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

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  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · WilmingtonNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $75.00
    How it works

    Book online, set out your battery and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.

    Book a pickup →

  2. New Hanover County Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics FacilityCounty service · New Hanover CountyNew Hanover County residentsFree
    How it works

    Free household hazardous waste and electronics drop-off for New Hanover County residents at 3002 Highway 421 North, Wilmington, NC 28401 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-noon; 910-798-4400). The U.S. Census geocoder places this address in Cape Fear township, outside Wilmington city limits. A mobile HazWagon also visits Ogden Park, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach on a weekly schedule.

    Cost & rules
    • No electric-vehicle lithium batteries.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  3. New Hanover County LandfillCounty service · New Hanover CountyConditions applyCost not listed
    How it works

    County landfill and recycling drop-off at 5210 Highway 421 North, Wilmington, NC 28401 (Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 6:30 a.m.-noon; 910-798-4450). The U.S. Census geocoder places this address in Cape Fear township, outside Wilmington city limits. It takes white goods, tires, scrap metal, car batteries and cardboard for recycling and bulky items such as mattresses and furniture for a fee.

    Cost & rules
    • Car and truck batteries.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  4. North Carolina lead-acid battery retailer take-back (G.S. 130A-309.71)State program · North CarolinaOpen to everyoneConditions applyCost not listed
    How it works

    Since 1991 North Carolina has banned lead-acid batteries from landfills, incinerators and waste-to-energy plants. Stores that sell lead-acid batteries must accept used ones of the same type, at least as many as the new batteries you buy. Anyone may also take a lead-acid battery to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter or an authorized recycling facility. The law does not say whether a store must take a battery without a purchase, or whether it may charge.

    Cost & rules
    • Lead-acid batteries (such as car and truck batteries) only. Stores must take used batteries of the same type, at least as many as the new ones you buy. The law does not say whether a store must take one without a purchase or may charge.
    • You may also take a lead-acid battery to a battery wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter or an authorized collection or recycling facility.
    • Lead-acid batteries may not go in the trash: they are banned from landfills, incinerators and waste-to-energy plants, with a civil penalty of up to $50 per battery.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

  5. The Battery Network store drop-off (North Carolina)Nonprofit service · North CarolinaOpen to everyoneConditions applyCost not listed
    How it works

    NC DEQ tells residents to bring household rechargeable batteries to a participating store found on The Battery Network's locator map, or to a city or county drop-off. Rechargeable batteries should never go in trash or recycling carts. From December 1, 2026, state law bans lithium-ion batteries from landfills and incinerators. DEQ does not say whether store drop-off is free.

    Cost & rules
    • Household rechargeable batteries (such as lithium-ion) at participating stores; find one with The Battery Network's locator map. Check what a store takes before you go.
    • Never put rechargeable batteries in trash or recycling carts. From December 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries are banned from landfills.
    • Your city or county may also have battery drop-off sites.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries before transport.
  2. Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and tell the operator.
  3. Ask which battery types are accepted; car batteries often go somewhere different.
More about batteries

North Carolina rules

More North Carolina rules (10)
Where this information comes from (25)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · New Hanover County Recycling & Solid Waste
    • Residents can bring HHW and electronics to the permanent facility at no cost; businesses and out-of-county residents cannot drop off hazardous chemicals. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Bring ID; materials from out-of-county residents are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Batteries of all kinds are accepted, including alkaline, lithium, sealed lead-acid and rechargeable; EV lithium batteries are not. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Landfill (opens in new tab) · New Hanover County Recycling & Solid Waste
    • The landfill is at 5210 Highway 421 North, Wilmington, NC 28401; open Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 6:30 a.m.-noon. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The landfill accepts scrap metals, car/truck batteries, cardboard, white goods (appliances) and tires (off the rim) for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Wilmington Solid Waste Services
    • The city HHW page lists batteries among accepted items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.70: Landfilling and incineration of lead-acid batteries prohibited; delivery for recycling (opens in new tab) · North Carolina General Assembly
    • Used lead-acid batteries may not be put in a landfill, incinerator or waste-to-energy facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Improper disposal of a lead-acid battery carries a civil penalty of up to $50 per battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Anyone may deliver a lead-acid battery to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a secondary lead smelter, or an authorized collection or recycling facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.71: Retailers required to accept lead-acid batteries for recycling (opens in new tab) · North Carolina General Assembly
    • Lead-acid battery retailers must accept, at the point of sale, used batteries of the same type and at least as many as the new batteries bought. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Retailers must post a sign saying state law requires them to accept used vehicle and other lead-acid batteries in exchange for new batteries purchased. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Lead Acid Batteries (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
    • DEQ: retailers must accept lead-acid batteries for recycling if a battery is purchased. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • N.C. General Statutes 130A-309.10: Prohibited acts; disposal of certain solid wastes in landfills or by incineration prohibited (opens in new tab) · North Carolina General Assembly
    • From December 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries may not knowingly be put in a landfill in North Carolina. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • From December 1, 2026, lithium-ion batteries also may not be burned in a permitted incinerator. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • NC DEQ: Lithium-Ion Batteries (battery drop-off) (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
    • DEQ: never put rechargeable batteries in trash or recycling carts; lithium-ion batteries can start fires in trucks and facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Lithium-ion batteries should always go to a designated drop-off location. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DEQ directs residents to bring household rechargeable batteries to a participating store found with The Battery Network's locator map. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The store drop-off option is for household rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The other option DEQ gives is a local government drop-off: contact your city or county. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • NC DEQ: Local Government Battery Collections (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
    • DEQ tells residents to check with their city, town or county for battery drop-off sites, preparation rules and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • NC DEQ Division of Waste Management: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
    • Many North Carolina counties have permanent household hazardous waste collection centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Counties, cities, school districts and other groups can get a free temporary permit to hold HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many HHW centers and many auto parts retailers accept used oil. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • NC DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW Collection Programs Map) (opens in new tab) · North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
    • Permanent HHW facilities open anywhere from a few days a year to several days a week; check the local solid waste website for dates and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • DEQ tells residents to check the local government solid waste website for HHW dates and hours. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

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