Seminole County Warns Residents About Safe Disposal of Electronics

Seminole County issued a public safety advisory on December 3 after officials and recycling experts raised alarms about a rise in electronic purchases this holiday season and the corresponding increase in discarded devices. County leaders said improperly discarded lithium ion batteries can overheat and ignite in collection trucks or at transfer and recycling facilities, creating fire and burn hazards as well as environmental contamination risks.

The batteries involved are commonly found in phones, tablets, laptops and electric scooters, and the county stressed that damaged or loose batteries are particularly dangerous when placed in regular trash or curbside containers. Sanitation workers face direct safety risks if a battery ignites during collection, and county waste handling sites can be damaged or temporarily shut down while crews respond to any fire or smoke event.

Officials and recycling specialists outlined safe disposal steps residents should follow. Remove batteries from devices when it is safe and feasible. Use approved battery drop off locations and e waste recycling sites rather than placing devices in curbside trash. Tape battery terminals or place loose batteries in a plastic container to reduce the chance of short circuits. Avoid placing electronics with loose batteries in curbside containers at all times.

For Seminole County households, following these practices reduces the likelihood of service disruptions, protects workers who handle solid waste, and helps prevent contamination that can affect local water and soil. The advisory arrived during a high volume shopping period when many households replace older devices, increasing the volume of batteries entering the waste stream.

The county emphasized that responsible disposal is a simple step residents can take to keep collection workers safe and preserve county infrastructure during a busy season. Residents seeking disposal options should contact county solid waste services for current drop off locations and hours.