Published on November 03, 2026
After a recent rise in battery-related fires, Oklahoma City is reminding residents to keep all batteries out of their Big Blue trash carts and Big Green recycling carts. Batteries can be crushed during collection or processing and start fires, putting workers and equipment at risk.
The materials recovery facility where WM (formerly Waste Management) processes the City’s recycling has had 11 fires just this year, with batteries identified as a contributing factor in about 80% of them. WM has also reported seven fires involving their trucks collecting residential trash in OKC this year, most of which involved batteries.
“It’s not just WM’s operations that are affected, we’ve had City trash trucks catch fire, too. Our most recent was caused by a car battery,” said Utilities Solid Waste Superintendent Jim Linn. “Batteries of every kind need to go to a proper drop-off location, not in trash or recycling carts.”
This applies to single-use and rechargeable batteries, including lithium, button and automotive batteries. Batteries from items such as phones, toys, power tools and e-cigarettes also need to be disposed of properly and not placed in carts.
“Batteries are part of so many things we use every day that it’s easy to overlook them when throwing something away,” said Linn. “Even batteries that appear used or drained can pose a fire risk.”
Residents are urged to check for batteries before throwing away any battery-powered device as the danger from batteries can escalate quickly. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a lithium-ion battery can emit a jet of flame reaching about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in roughly one second.
Oklahoma City residents can take more than 10 different types of batteries to the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, at 1621 S. Portland Ave. The service is free for Oklahoma City residents; bring a City water bill as proof of residency. If you’re unsure what type of battery you have or whether a battery-powered item with a built-in rechargeable battery is accepted, call the Collection Center at (405) 682-7038 before bringing it in. Many Lowe’s and Home Depot locations also offer free drop-off for certain rechargeable batteries; check with your local store to confirm what it accepts.
Residents who prefer another drop-off location or have batteries not accepted at the Collection Center are encouraged to use the Battery Network’s online locator at locator.batterynetwork.org to find a collection site. When appropriate, cover exposed battery terminals with tape before drop-off to help prevent sparks.
For a full list of batteries and other items accepted at the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, go to okc.gov/HHW.