SUMMERDALE, Ala.
— Baldwin County residents will have the opportunity to safely dispose of
household batteries for free on Saturday, Sept. 12, during “Skip the Bin” National Battery
Take-Back Day. The Solid Waste Disposal Authority (SWDA) of Baldwin County will be
participating in the event with the National Waste and Recycling Foundation (NWRF) to prevent
dangerous incidents caused by improper common battery disposal.
As part of this nationwide effort, SWDA will waive its usual battery fees, $2 for car batteries and
$5 for electronics, exclusively at participating Centers for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM).
The fee waiver will not be available at SWDA landfills. Participating CHaRMs will accept
batteries during normal operating hours, 7 a.m. to noon at the following locations:
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Orange Beach: 22510 Russian Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Fairhope: 20609 Bishop Rd, Fairhope, AL 36532
The event aims to raise awareness about the dangers of placing batteries in household trash and
recycling bins. Batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries (including those in phones, tablets, smart
watches, power tools and vacuums), can cause fires when damaged or improperly handled, creating
risks for waste collection trucks, homes, recycling facilities and waste processing centers.
According to data provided by the NWRF:
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448 publicly reported fires occurred at waste and recycling facilities across the United States and
Canada in 2025, the highest number recorded.
Catastrophic losses from fires at waste processing facilities have increased 41% over the past
five years, with average losses reaching $22 million per facility.
Since 2020, at least 89 deaths in the United States have been directly related to lithium-ion
battery incidents.
“Safe battery disposal is an important part of protecting our community, along with the people who
collect and process our waste,
” said Terri Graham, CEO of SWDA.
“National Battery Take-Back Day
provides a valuable chance for residents to dispose of batteries in a convenient and safe manner,
helping prevent potentially dangerous fires.
”
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the waived battery fees, and keep batteries out
of household trash and recycling bins. For more information on National Battery Take Back Day,
visit www.wasterecycling.org. To learn more about responsible solutions that keep recyclable
materials out of landfills and support a cleaner, greener future for Baldwin County, visit
www.baldwincountyswda.org.
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About the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of Baldwin County (SWDA)
The Solid Waste Disposal Authority (SWDA) of Baldwin County is a public utility dedicated to advancing
sustainable waste management solutions that protect the environment and improve quality of life for residents
across Baldwin County. SWDA oversees a range of services including municipal waste disposal, recycling
programs, and the development of innovative facilities such as the new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and
CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) sites. With a focus on education, accessibility, and long-term
impact, SWDA works in partnership with local municipalities to offer practical, responsible solutions that keep
recyclable materials out of landfills and support a cleaner, greener future for Baldwin County. Learn more at
www.baldwincountyswda.org.
