Batteries don’t go in any of your bins at home. Old batteries may seem ‘dead’ but they can still cause fires if you don’t dispose of them properly. They can be crushed in bin lorries or waste sorting plants and start fires.
It’s not just traditional batteries which can cause fires. Many items contain hidden batteries such as laptops, phones, shavers and electric toothbrushes. There is also a huge amount of vapes and electric cigarettes which are being thrown in bins at home and causing fires.
BBC Morning Live did a segment on the importance of disposing of batteries correctly, if you missed it catch up below:
Due to the rise of fast tech like vapes, fire incidents are now very common during bin collections and at recycling centres.
We’re working with our partners Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to remind you not to put any batteries in your bins at home. Find out how to safely dispose of your batteries and electrical items below.
The seriousness of putting batteries in bins is highlighted in the video below.
Follow these simple steps to keep your home and our staff safe…
Don’t throw it in any of your bins at home! Items such as laptops, mobile phones, electric toys, Bluetooth devices, shavers, electric toothbrushes, powerbank chargers, and vapes have batteries that might not be easy to remove.
Store your items properly until you can take them to a recycling point. Keep your electrical items and batteries in a safe place at home, then take them to your nearest recycling centre to ensure they’re recycled safely and responsibly. Do not put them in any of your household bins.
Any retailer that sells batteries have a duty to provide a takeback scheme. Save your dead batteries safely at home away from children ready to take them back to a local retailer. Never dispose of any batteries or small electrical items such as vapes, mobile phones or toys containing batteries in any of your bins at home.
Batteries that have been bought online can still be recycled at local retailers as part of the takeback scheme.
Remember you can take your dead batteries to:
Please note you should take special care with swollen or leaking batteries, do not attempt to puncture them, instead store them safely until you can take it to your nearest recycling centre, do not put them in any of your household bins.
There are hidden batteries in many electrical items such as electric toothbrushes, toys, e-cigarettes, vapes, phones, laptops, and many more. You can recycle them by following the same steps above.
If you are unsure how to recycle an item, have a look at our A-Z item guide to help you recycle as much as you can and to dispose of your waste safely.
When next replacing batteries, why not buy rechargeable batteries instead? It will save you money and help you waste less. Or you can donate some electrical items at your local recycling centre (except for Chester Road) put them in the Renew donation container and help raise money for local good causes.
Download your free bin guide. Keep it handy on your phone or print and pop it on the fridge or by the bins.
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