County pursues NCDEQ grant to accept solar panels and EV batteries in household hazardous waste program

County staff described a grant application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality that would allow the county to accept solar panels and electric‑vehicle batteries as part of its household hazardous waste (HHW) services.

Staff said once grant approval is received, infrastructure installation will take several months and communications/outreach will be used to announce when drop‑off begins; staff estimated rollout could start in August. Commissioners asked what residents currently do with panels and EV batteries; staff replied currently there is no broad county service—panels often go to the landfill and dealerships are the only consistent option for certain batteries.

When asked whether other counties have similar programs, staff said they were not aware of other counties in North Carolina that include solar panels and EV batteries in HHW. The board did not take a final vote; staff brought the grant application forward for approval on the consent agenda.