Battery Recycling in Charleston, SC

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Charleston County: New Convenience Center Rules (effective November 1, 2024) (opens in new tab) · Charleston County Environmental Management
  • Proof of Charleston County residency is required at the convenience centers. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Commercial customers may use only the single-stream recycling part of a convenience center. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Charleston County Environmental Management: Recycling, Convenience Centers & Drop Sites (opens in new tab) · Charleston County Environmental Management
  • Staffed convenience centers accept the listed items from residents only; commercial businesses may drop off household recyclables only. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Batteries accepted include car batteries, household batteries, battery acid, lithium-ion and NiCad batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
• City of Charleston: Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new tab) · City of Charleston
  • The city collects bulk items, including white goods, for residents on the regular trash day; white goods are not picked up unless doors or drawers are removed. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Residential collection does not take hazardous waste such as paint, auto fluids and batteries, or tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
• S.C. Code of Laws Title 44 Chapter 96: South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (waste tires, lead-acid batteries, white goods) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina General Assembly
  • Used lead-acid batteries may not be put in mixed municipal solid waste or discarded except by delivery to a battery retailer or wholesaler, a registered collection or recycling facility, or a permitted secondary lead smelter. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Improper disposal carries a fine of up to $200 per battery. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Small sealed lead-acid batteries may not be incinerated or put in a landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid batteries under the law are lead and sulfuric acid batteries of 6 volts or more; small sealed ones (25 lb or less, non-vehicle) are defined separately. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Anyone selling lead-acid batteries at retail must accept lead-acid batteries from customers at the point of transfer and post a notice saying so. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The required store sign says state law requires the store to accept motor vehicle batteries for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Lead-acid battery wholesalers must also accept batteries from customers at the point of transfer. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Retailers must charge a $5 refundable deposit on each battery sold without a returned core; it is refunded if the core is returned to the same retailer within 30 days. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: What Can I Recycle? (hard-to-manage items) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES: lead-acid batteries must be recycled; every county accepts them and most auto parts retailers do too. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: you can recycle your old battery where you buy a new one; with the old battery returned you pay $2 instead of $7 on the new one. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Returning the old battery with a purchase gives a $5 credit, so only $2 is charged. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: rechargeable batteries can be recycled at major retailers (e.g., Lowe's, Best Buy, The Home Depot) that take part in Call2Recycle. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: the Call2Recycle program is free to residents and accepts dry-cell rechargeables up to 11 pounds (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn, Li-ion) and small lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • SCDES: alkaline batteries can go in household garbage; lithium and button batteries should be managed as household hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Other options SCDES names: Redwood Materials drop-off locations and events, and Batteries Plus stores (call ahead). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Some county programs accept household hazardous waste, either through regular collection or single-day events; check RecycleHereSC. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Do not pour household hazardous products down the drain, on the ground or into a storm sewer. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: Be Battery Smart - Recycle Right and Safely (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • Some participating retailers also take single-use batteries up to 11 pounds (AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, button cells) and small lead-acid batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Tape the terminals of button/coin batteries and all lithium batteries before drop-off. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Many counties have household hazardous material programs or one-day events that take some battery types. Checked October 26, 2026.
• The Battery Network (formerly Call2Recycle): Drop-off Locations (opens in new tab) · The Battery Network
  • Most sites take common household and rechargeable batteries; check each location's details before visiting. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: Lithium-Ion Batteries (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES: never put lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• SCDES: Where to Recycle (county recycling locations) (opens in new tab) · South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
  • SCDES asks residents to use only the drop-off locations of their own county of residence. Checked October 26, 2026.

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