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EE Zero: South Carolina's Battery Recycling Program for Used Batteries

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What EE Zero Does

EE Zero is South Carolina's statewide battery recycling program run by the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). It collects used batteries from households and small businesses at no cost and processes them so materials like lead, zinc, and lithium can be recovered instead of sent to landfills.

The program accepts most common household batteries—alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V), rechargeable batteries, and button cell batteries. It also takes car batteries and industrial batteries from businesses. EE Zero operates through a network of drop-off locations across the state, including retail stores, municipal hazardous waste facilities, and authorized collection sites.

South Carolina created EE Zero to meet state law requirements around battery disposal. Batteries contain toxic materials that can contaminate groundwater if they end up in regular trash or landfills. By recycling them through EE Zero, you keep those materials out of the environment and allow manufacturers to reuse the recovered metals in new products.

Key Takeaways

  • EE Zero accepts alkaline, rechargeable, button cell, car, and industrial batteries at no cost through drop-off locations across South Carolina.
  • You can find nearby collection sites by searching the EE Zero locator on DHEC's website or calling your local solid waste management office.
  • Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place and placed in a clear plastic bag before drop-off to prevent short circuits.
  • The program recovers valuable metals like lead, zinc, and lithium that get reused in manufacturing instead of being buried in landfills.

How to Find a Drop-Off Location Near You

DHEC maintains an online locator tool on its website where you can enter your zip code and see all active EE Zero collection sites within your area. The tool shows the site address, hours, and what types of batteries each location accepts—not all sites take every battery type.

If you cannot find a location online or prefer to call, contact your county or municipal solid waste management office directly. They can tell you which sites are currently open and whether they have special hours for battery drop-off. Some locations require you to call ahead or have limits on how many batteries you can drop off at once.

Common drop-off sites include county hazardous waste facilities, some retail electronics stores, and municipal recycling centers. Hours vary by location, so check before you go. Many facilities are only open certain days of the week or during specific hours.

What Batteries EE Zero Accepts

EE Zero takes alkaline batteries in all standard sizes—AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V. These are the batteries most households use in remote controls, flashlights, toys, and smoke detectors. The program also accepts rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion batteries from phones, laptops, and power tools.

Button cell batteries (the tiny round batteries in watches, hearing aids, and calculators) are accepted at most EE Zero sites. Lead-acid car batteries and industrial batteries from businesses are also part of the program, though you may need to take those to a specialized facility rather than a general retail drop-off.

Do not mix battery types in the same bag, and do not tape the terminals of lithium-ion batteries unless the site specifically asks you to. Some locations have restrictions on damaged or leaking batteries, so call ahead if you have batteries that are visibly corroded or swollen.

How to Prepare Batteries for Drop-Off

Store used batteries in a cool, dry place until you are ready to drop them off. Keep them away from metal objects that could cause a short circuit, especially rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries. If a battery is leaking or corroded, place it in a separate plastic bag so it does not contaminate other batteries.

Put all your batteries in a clear plastic bag before you take them to the drop-off site. This lets staff see what you are bringing and makes it easier to sort them for processing. Do not seal the bag tightly—leave it loosely closed so air can circulate.

Never throw batteries in your regular trash or curbside recycling bin. Batteries can damage sorting equipment at recycling facilities and create fire hazards at landfills. EE Zero drop-off is the only safe way to dispose of them.

What Happens to Batteries After Drop-Off

Once you drop off your batteries, EE Zero sends them to licensed recycling facilities that break them down by type. Alkaline batteries are separated from rechargeable batteries because they require different processing methods. Metals like zinc, manganese, and lead are extracted and sold to manufacturers who use them in new batteries, stainless steel products, and other goods.

Lithium-ion batteries go through a specialized process to safely remove the lithium and cobalt, which are valuable materials for electronics manufacturing. The recycling facilities also recover steel, nickel, and other metals from these batteries. By recovering these materials, EE Zero reduces the need for new mining and manufacturing, which saves energy and reduces pollution.

DHEC tracks how many batteries are collected and recycled each year through the program. The state publishes annual reports on the program's performance, though specific data on individual drop-off sites is not always public.

Costs and Fees

EE Zero is a free program for households and small businesses. There is no charge to drop off batteries at any authorized collection site. The program is funded through a combination of state appropriations and fees that battery manufacturers pay into a recycling fund.

Some retailers that accept batteries as part of EE Zero may charge a small fee if you are purchasing a replacement battery at the same time, but the recycling itself is always free. If a site tells you there is a charge for dropping off used batteries, contact DHEC to report it—that location may not be properly authorized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put batteries in my curbside recycling bin?

No. Batteries should never go in curbside recycling bins or regular trash. They can damage sorting equipment and create fire hazards. Use only EE Zero drop-off locations.

What if I have a large quantity of batteries from a business?

Businesses can use EE Zero, but large quantities may need to go to a specialized industrial recycling facility. Contact DHEC or your local solid waste office to find a site that handles bulk battery recycling from businesses.

Do I need to remove batteries from devices before recycling them?

For most devices, yes. Remove batteries from remote controls, flashlights, and other items before dropping them off. For devices like phones or laptops with built-in batteries, check with the drop-off site—some accept whole devices, while others ask you to remove the battery first.

What should I do with a swollen or leaking battery?

Place it in a separate plastic bag away from other batteries and tell the staff at the drop-off site about the damage. Do not touch the battery directly if it is leaking. Some sites may refuse damaged batteries for safety reasons, so call ahead to confirm they can accept it.

How often should I drop off batteries?

There is no schedule—drop off batteries whenever you have accumulated a few. Storing them safely in a cool, dry place until you have a bag full is fine. Most households drop off batteries once or twice a year.