Dr. Karen Bell

Keep Liberty Beautiful

Keep Liberty Beautiful would like to remind Liberty County residents that recycling isn’t just for paper, plastic, and aluminum. Old household batteries should be recycled safely, too, especially to prevent environmental harm, potential fire hazards, and contamination in our community.

While everyday recyclables like cans and newspapers can be dropped off at any of the county’s recycling centers, batteries require special handling and should be brought to one of Keep Liberty Beautiful’s quarterly Recycle It! Fairs for safe and responsible disposal.

Across Liberty County, recycling continues to grow as more families, neighborhoods, and businesses commit to protecting local waterways, wildlife habitats, and residential areas. The Liberty County Solid Waste Authority (LCSWA) operates seven convenience centers and several recycling drop-off locations throughout the county, including sites in Hinesville and Midway. These centers accept many common household recyclables year-round. However, batteries and other household hazardous materials, such as light bulbs, electronics, and ink cartridges, must be handled separately because of the chemicals and metals they contain. For that reason, these items are collected at the county’s Recycle It! Fairs, held quarterly by Keep Liberty Beautiful (KLB).

Batteries contain metals and chemicals that can be harmful if not disposed of properly, and they shouldn’t go into your curbside trash or regular recycling bins. By bringing your old batteries to one of our Recycle It! Fairs, you’re helping protect our soil and waterways, and you’re keeping potentially dangerous materials out of the waste stream.

Recycle It! Fairs are designed to give residents a convenient, local opportunity to safely recycle items that do not belong in household trash carts or regular recycling containers. These events typically take place at multiple locations across the county, most often at the Liberty County Community Complex in Midway and at Walthourville City Hall. Residents are encouraged to bring all types of household batteries to these events, including AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries; button and coin batteries commonly found in watches, toys, and small electronics; and rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries used in laptops, cameras, and handheld devices.

In addition to household batteries, Recycle It! Fairs also accept a variety of other items that require specialized disposal. These include electronics, CFL and LED light bulbs, printer ink and toner cartridges, gently used clothing, household goods, car batteries, used motor oil, antifreeze, books, large catalogs, household paint (sealed and in good condition), and even old prescriptions. The goal of the program is to make it easier for residents to keep hazardous and reusable materials out of landfills and to support a cleaner, safer Liberty County.

Local officials and environmental partners emphasize that proper recycling does more than reduce litter, it also helps prevent pollution, conserves natural resources, and protects local wildlife habitats. When batteries are improperly disposed of, their contents can break down and seep into soil or groundwater. Certain rechargeable batteries, especially lithium-ion types, can also pose fire risks in garbage trucks, dumpsters, or waste facilities if punctured or compacted. Safe handling and recycling help reduce these risks.

Residents can take a few simple steps before dropping off batteries to make the recycling process safer for volunteers and processing teams. KLB recommends placing a small piece of tape over both battery terminals before bringing them to a Recycle It! Fair. This helps prevent accidental sparks and ensures batteries can be stored safely during collection. Some retail stores, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy, also offer electronics or rechargeable battery recycling options. Residents should contact stores in advance to confirm which items are accepted and any drop-off instructions.

Beyond environmental benefits, Recycle It! Fairs strengthen community bonds. Families, civic groups, schools, and local businesses work together, reflecting Liberty County’s shared responsibility for a cleaner, safer environment.

As a community, we all play a part in keeping Liberty County clean, healthy, and beautiful. Something as small as recycling a battery can make a big difference when we work together to do the right thing for our environment. Every single resident who participates helps us build a safer and more sustainable future for our families and our county.

Residents can stay informed about upcoming Recycle It! Fair dates by subscribing to the Keep Liberty Beautiful Newsletter or by visiting www. keeplibertybeautiful.org. Event reminders are also shared through community partners, social media, and local news outlets.

By working together, Liberty County aims not only to make recycling more accessible but to ensure that even small household items, like batteries, receive the responsible treatment they deserve.

Upcoming Recycle It! Fair

Saturday, February 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

 Locations: Liberty County Community Complex 9397 East Oglethorpe Highway, Midway Walthourville City Hall 222 Busbee Drive, Walthourville (The Shred Truck will be available at this site only.)

 Accepted Include: 

• electronics

• household paint (sealed, non-rusted, at least half full)

• used motor oil and antifreeze

• car batteries

• household batteries

• printer ink and toner cartridges

• telephone books, large catalogs, and books

• household goods, clothing, and shoes

• old prescription and over-the-counter medications

 For more information, contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at (912) 8804888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.gov.