Leaders who oversee the Northwest Arkansas landfill, solid waste transfer stations and recycling facilities are raising concerns ahead of the holidays, saying a Christmas surge in battery-powered toys, devices and gadgets could spark dangerous conditions at local facilities.

The weeks just after Christmas, they say, are the most concerning times of year for battery-related safety risks.

Rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries now power a growing share of everyday items found in Northwest Arkansas homes, from cell phones and laptops to power tools, robotic vacuums and vape pens. Those batteries become dangerous when they are tossed loose into household trash or included in curbside recycling. Crushed or damaged lithium-ion batteries can overheat, spark or ignite, sometimes without warning.

Locations for disposing of or recycling batteries of all types, along with facility hours, are listed near the end of this blog. 

By the Numbers

It’s estimated that people in a region such as Northwest Arkansas with a population near 600,000 residents discard almost 16 million batteries a year, and as many as 750,000 of those are small lithium-ion batteries that create the highest risk. While it’s believed that the public does a good job of recycling about 95% of the 100,000 or so lead-acid batteries that power most cars and trucks, one estimate suggests just 5% to 15% of the small lithium batteries are recycled or disposed of properly

Recycling centers operated by the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District, the Benton County Solid Waste District and cities capture thousands of batteries each year to ensure that they are recycled, but it’s nowhere close to the total being discarded in Northwest Arkansas. 

Fire hazards

Battery-related fires have been reported at recycling centers and waste facilities across the country and small fires have been reported locally in recent years. While crews in Northwest Arkansas were able to put those out before they spread, local recycling stations warn that the next one may not be as easy to contain.

When a lithium-ion battery ignites, it can burn at extreme temperatures, explode without warning and reignite even after the flames appear out. In a worst-case scenario, a single battery fire can rapidly overtake a facility and threaten the safety of surrounding communities.

According to a 2024 report by the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), more than 5,000 fires occur annually at recycling facilities across the United States, many linked to lithium-ion batteries mistakenly placed in ordinary recycling streams.

Drop-off programs

Lithium-ion and other rechargeable batteries can be safely managed through free drop-off programs available across Northwest Arkansas. When handled correctly, batteries are sent to specialized recycling partners where valuable materials can be recovered and reused rather than creating hazards in trash trucks, recycling centers or landfills.

In 2024, the Benton County Solid Waste District recycled 1,495 pounds of lithium and nickel-cadmium batteries, along with nearly 9,900 pounds of lead-acid batteries, which amounts to about 282 of the big rectangular batteries used in most cars and trucks. Lydia Wilkerson, the district’s assistant director, said the lithium and nickel-cadmium batteries were collected at special waste drop-off locations and shipped through Call2Recycle, a national program that specializes in safely handling and recycling rechargeable batteries. Lead-acid batteries went to Alter Metal Trading in Rogers, while alkaline batteries were shipped to a Republic Services facility in Tulsa, Okla.

Electronics reuse organizations also play a role in keeping batteries out of the waste stream. Free Geek of Arkansas in Fayetteville refurbishes donated computers and other devices whenever possible. When batteries cannot be safely reused, they are removed and recycled. Free Geek recycled more than 2,200 pounds of lead-acid batteries and 1,300 pounds of lithium-ion laptop batteries in 2024.The lead-acid batteries go to Vaughn Recycling in Fayetteville, while lithium-ion laptop batteries are handled by eSCO in Rogers.

At eSCO Processing and Recycling in Rogers, batteries from public, governmental and corporate clients are consolidated and prepared for further recycling. The company is a commercial-scale IT recycling, refurbishment and data destruction provider that also accepts batteries in volume. eSCO processes approximately 20,000 pounds of batteries each month, which are then sent to specialized downstream recycling partners in Wisconsin that handle different battery chemistries.

Together, these systems show how batteries can be safely managed when kept out of household trash and curbside recycling and taken to designated drop-off locations.

Note: Some retail and electronics stores, including Best Buy, Staples, Lowe’s and Home Depot, also accept certain devices and batteries for recycling. Fees may apply for some items.

What residents should do

Local recycling leaders recommend a few simple steps, especially during the holiday season:

Separate rechargeable batteries and devices
Any item with a rechargeable or lithium-ion battery, including phones, tablets, laptops, power tools, robotic vacuums and vape pens, should be kept out of regular trash and curbside recycling.

Bag batteries before drop off
Loose rechargeable batteries should be placed individually in clear plastic bags before drop off to help prevent sparks or damage during transport.

Use designated drop off sites
Free battery drop off locations are available in Centerton, Fayetteville, Prairie Grove, Rogers, Siloam Springs and Springdale, with many sites accepting lithium-ion, lead-acid and other non-alkaline batteries.

While alkaline batteries such as AA and AAA batteries are generally not considered a fire hazard in household trash, rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries require special handling.

As holiday waste surges across Northwest Arkansas, officials say something as small as a misplaced battery can put sanitation workers, recycling staff and entire facilities at risk.