On July 1, 2024, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) becomes two separate agencies — the South Carolina Departments of Environmental Services (SCDES) and Public Health (DPH). Additionally, DHEC's retail food program and milk and dairy lab will merge with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. See our DHEC Restructuring page to learn more.
Batteries can and should be recycled. Photonics Solar Street Light
Batteries contain metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel and silver, which can pose a threat to human health and safety as well as the environment.
Some batteries (e.g., lithium-ion) also contain cobalt and lithium, which are considered critical minerals, meaning they are essential in our society. When a battery is thrown away, those resources can never be recovered.
Improper disposal of batteries, particularly those containing lithium, can cause fires or explosions. Additionally, responsible battery recycling keeps millions of pounds of critical, potentially harmful metals out of the landfill and in use. In South Carolina, recycling options are available.
Solar Street Flood Lights The first rule in managing batteries safely is to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Here are additional tips on preparing batteries for recycling.