ASK
Does your electrical item contain batteries? If so, they may cause a fire if not recycled properly. So remove the batteries to recycle them separately. And do not put them in the general rubbish bin.
Recycling batteries
Batteries can cause fires if you throw them in your normal recycling or waste bin – so it’s really important to recycle them properly. Follow our guide to battery recycling.
Why recycle batteries?
Why it’s important to take charge of recycling your batteries
Over 700 fires caused by binned batteries
Our research shows there’s been over 700 fires over the last year caused by binned batteries across the UK. Local authorities say it’s a growing problem.
Battery fires can endanger lives
These fires are challenging for fire services to deal with, have a significant impact on local communities and present a real risk to staff working on lorries and waste plants.
Batteries contain hidden treasures
There are many valuable materials inside batteries that can be reused if recycled properly, like nickel, zinc, cadmium and lithium. See our FAQs to find out how these materials are recovered.
Give recycled batteries a new lease of life
When the raw materials of batteries are recovered, they can be reused for other purposes or to make new things. For example, the lithium in some batteries could power thousands of electric cars!
How to recycle batteries
It’s as easy as ABC
BAG IT
Set aside a bag just for batteries. Then each time you remove a battery from a gadget, put it in the bag ready to take to a recycling point, or to be collected if your local council provides this service.
CHECK
Use our recycling locator to find your nearest electrical recycling point – often found in supermarkets and shops. Or check with your council website to see if they collect batteries for recycling.
Recycling locatorRecycling common batteries
Common household batteries include lithium-ion ‘button’ batteries from watches, hearing aids, etc, as well as standard barrel-type batteries (AAs, AAAs and so on). These household batteries must be recycled at specific battery collection points.
Recycling battery packs
Battery packs from laptops, mobile phones, power tools and remote control units can be recycled at specific battery collection points. If you can’t remove the power pack, put the whole product in with your electrical recycling – but never in the general waste bin.
Recycling car batteries
By law you mustn’t dispose of car batteries in a rubbish bin. In the UK you can recycle car batteries at designated collection points. These includes many household waste recycling centres, garages and scrap yards. Or, if a specialist is replacing your car battery, they might be able to dispose of the old one safely for you.
Did you know?
Find your nearest battery recycling point
Recycling batteries – frequently asked questions
Where should I go to recycle batteries?
You might not have to go anywhere if your local authority collects batteries along with your household recycling. Check your council website.
But don’t worry if your council doesn’t collect batteries. For common household batteries, you’ll find many shops, supermarkets and kerbside collection points have bins especially for these. These batteries include the barrel, button and rechargeable packs used in things like torches, toys, remote controls and cameras.
Take-back scheme
What about recycling larger battery packs from things like power tools or laptops? You should be able to take these to your council household waste and recycling centre. Alternatively, thousands of electrical retailers and large stores now offer an in-store take-back service. This means you don’t even need to know how to recycle batteries – as they will do it for you.
Find your nearest recycling point using our locator, then check which types of batteries they accept.
Can I put batteries in the rubbish bin?
The short answer is no. If your batteries have come to the end of their useful life, you should recycle them. Do not add them to your general rubbish as binning them in this way creates a fire hazard in the waste stream.
Bag those batteries
But you’ll find recycling batteries is easy if you set aside a bag or bin for them. In the kitchen or by the front door is a good place. You probably already have a bin for general rubbish, a bin for kitchen and garden waste, and a bin for recycling things like paper, glass, plastics and tinfoil. Just make sure you don’t mix up batteries in any of these. Instead, pop household batteries in an old bag or tub until you’re ready to visit your nearest recycling point.
Battery collections
Some local authorities do collect batteries along with your other recycling, so it’s worth checking your council website first. You’re all ready to dispose of your batteries correctly.
Remember: recycling batteries, yes; binning batteries, no.
Can I put batteries in the recycling?
Yes but always recycle batteries separately. Don’t add them to your mixed recycling or general rubbish as this can create a fire hazard.
Recycling batteries is easy if you set aside a bag, bin or tub for them. Pop household batteries in there until you’re ready to visit your nearest recycling point.
Some local authorities collect batteries along with your other recycling, so it’s worth checking your council website first.
How are batteries recycled?
The exact process for battery recycling depends on the type of battery, because of the different materials and contain they contain. Generally,
- Batteries are sorted into their different types by specialist sorting facilities
- The materials and chemicals are extracted using ‘pyrolysis’ (heating at very high temperatures). Watch our video on ‘How are electronics recycled’ to understand more about this process
- Once recovered the materials can then be reused in other things, like electronics, more batteries, or powering our green economy.
