During the Season of Gift Giving, SCDES Asks Residents to ‘Be Battery Smart’
Improper use and disposal of household batteries can harm people and the environment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 16, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the holiday season picks up, so does the purchase of gifts containing batteries. Batteries come in all different shapes, sizes and chemical compositions and can be found almost everywhere, from children’s toys and electronics to appliances and handheld devices. Household batteries are often “hidden in plain sight” and it’s become increasingly important to be aware of the potential risks they pose when they’re not correctly handled or thrown away.
If used or disposed of improperly, batteries can explode, catch fire or become choking hazards, especially for children. To encourage the safe use of household batteries, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reminds the public to “Be Battery Smart” by following recommended guidelines.
“Take Charge: Be Battery Smart” is SCDES’s public education campaign, developed in partnership with the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), centered on preventing the risks batteries pose to people and the environment. This knowledge is especially important during the holidays when battery-operated toys and electronics abound.
South Carolinians can “Be Battery Smart” by:
Using extra caution with lithium-ion batteries. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries pose an increased risk due to their volatility. Lithium-ion batteries are easy to puncture and can cause fires in garbage trucks and recycling centers and landfills.
Keeping button and coin batteries out of kids’ reach. These small batteries can cause serious injury or death if swallowed or if placed in the nose or ears.
Recycling batteries properly. While all waste batteries can (and should) be recycled, some should not go into municipal recycling bins nor the garbage bin. Learn how to recycle batteries at RecycleHereSC.
Batteries can contain metals — like lead, mercury, nickel, cadmium and silver — that can be harmful to the environment or people if the battery manufacturer’s safe-handling instructions aren’t followed. They also can contain critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and graphite, which are economically important resources — these mineral resources get reused for future use when batteries are properly recycled.
The variety in the types of batteries means they each have unique recycling requirements. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, and check with your local trash and recycling program to understand which batteries, if any, can be recycled with your curbside collection.
Information about the safe handling of household batteries, including resources on proper recycling and disposal, can be found online at BeBatterySmart.com.
