A common item that should never be recycled caused fires at Mecklenburg Co. centers

If you’re going to recycle, make sure what you’re dumping isn’t going to do more harm than good.

That’s the message local officials are putting out after two fires at recycling facilities around Charlotte the week of June 23.

According to a Mecklenburg County social media post shared Friday afternoon, flames broke out both times because of by lithium-ion batteries often used for power tools and electronics. These batteries are among the many items that should never be put in recycling for pick-up.

Mecklenburg County doesn’t collect curbside trash or recycling, which is taken care of by the City of Charlotte or surrounding towns, its website says.

But the county does process all items at its Materials Recovery Facility, so the same guidelines on what can and can’t be recycled applies to all residents.

‘When in doubt, leave it out’

If you rely on curbside recycling, here’s which items you can put out for pick up:

• Plastic containers with necks
• Cartons and juice boxes
• Empty aerosol cans
• Aluminum cans
• Cereal boxes, clean pizza boxes and flat cardboard boxes
• Glass bottles and jars
• Tin/steel cans
• Brown bags and high-grade paper
• Junk mail
• Magazines and newspapers

Here are some of the items you cannot put out for pick up:

• Propane tanks

• Batteries

• Food

• Plastic bags and plastic film

• Shredded paper

• Wire hangers

• Hoses and car parts

• Cords, cables and ropes

• Razors and sharps

• Scrap metal

• Syringes

According to the county website, many items that cannot be accepted for curbside recycling can be taken to one of Mecklenburg County Full Service Recycling Centers to be recycled through separate systems.

You can find more information, including details for each municipality, online at wipeoutwaste.mecknc.gov.

This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription