Never put them in your rubbish or recycling bins. There’s a better way to dispose of them.
Batteries left in rubbish bins can be crushed during waste collection and processing, causing fires that put our teams and communities at risk. Battery fires can also release toxic smoke and gases.
Fire crews respond to a truck fire caused by a battery in a household bin at Haymarket
Fires in our waste collection vehicles
Batteries linked to a vape, e-bike and cordless vacuum caused 3 separate fires in our waste collection vehicles.
These incidents show it’s not only loose household batteries that cause fires. Batteries built into everyday items can also ignite if they’re put in a bin or collected with general waste.
Hidden batteries
Many rechargeable and electronic products have batteries built into them. The battery may be difficult to see or remove.
If an item lights up, makes a sound, moves, vibrates, charges or powers on, it probably contains a battery.
Items that may contain batteries include:
- vapes
- cordless vacuum cleaners
- e-bikes and e-scooters
- mobile phones and laptops
- electric toothbrushes
- power tools
- wireless headphones and speakers
- light-up sneakers
- musical greeting cards.
An item may still contain a battery if it no longer works or holds a charge.
Don’t try to remove a battery if it’s built into a product or difficult to take out. Search for the whole item to find the correct recycling option.
Pause, check and search
Before putting an unwanted item in a bin:
- Pause before throwing it away.
- Check if it contains a battery.
- Search for the item to find the right disposal option.
If you’re unsure whether an item contains a battery, don’t put it in a bin. Search for the item below.
Find the right disposal option
What are you trying to get rid of?
Different batteries and electronic items need different recycling services. Our recycling help tool will help you find the right option.
Recycle and store batteries safely
Loose batteries need to be prepared and stored safely before recycling. Tape the terminals of loose batteries before storing or recycling them.
Find detailed guidance for:
- small household batteries
- large and rechargeable batteries
- batteries built into electronic products
- car batteries
- leaking, damaged or swollen batteries
- safe storage and transport.
Tape the ends of batteries before recycling them to prevent fires.
