Do you know the risks lithium-ion batteries pose if they’re thrown away without a second thought?
We’re asking people to stop and think before disposing of common household electrical items after a spate of devastating fires at waste processing and recycling plants caused by lithium-ion batteries. Put simply, if it has a battery, please don’t put it in your skip or wheelie bin.
Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday items from mobile phones and power tools to vapes and children’s toys. But when they are thrown into skips or general waste, the process can crush or damage the batteries, setting off a chemical reaction known as ‘thermal runaway’ which can result in intense, devastating fires that are hard to extinguish putting people, vehicles and facilities at risk.
And it’s a growing problem. According to recent research, lithium-ion battery fires have risen 147% since 2022, which means that UK Fire and Rescue Services now tackle the equivalent of one battery-related fire every five hours. And recycling centres and waste facilities are essentially on the front line, with the latest industry-wide figures from the Environmental Services Association showing that in 2023-2024 there were 1,200 battery-related fires, a 71% rise on the previous year.
But it’s something we can all play our part in addressing. Here are the do’s and don’ts of disposing of lithium-ion batteries.
DO:
- Use a dedicated battery recycling point – most supermarkets, DIY stores and councils have drop-off points for batteries and small electricals. Never put them in your general waste or recycling bin.
- Return old vapes and e-cigarettes to the retailer – many vape shops and supermarkets now offer take-back schemes. If in doubt, drop them at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).
- Check for the WEEE symbol (a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol) – this shows that the product contains electronics and must not go in general waste.
- Separate batteries from other waste before putting bins out – tape over the terminals of loose lithium-ion batteries to prevent short circuits during collection.
- Tell your waste contractor – if you’re a business, make sure your waste management partner knows if you’re disposing of large quantities of products containing lithium-ion batteries. We can arrange specialist collection.
DON’T:
- Don’t put lithium-ion batteries, vapes, power tools or e-bikes in your general waste skip or bin – a single battery can trigger a fire that destroys a collection vehicle or entire waste facility.
- Don’t put damaged or swollen batteries in any bin – instead contact your local HWRC or a specialist hazardous waste contractor.
- Don’t assume it’s someone else’s problem – misplaced batteries are the leading cause of fires in waste lorries. Drivers and facility workers are put at risk every time a battery ends up in the wrong stream.
- Don’t stockpile old devices – the longer a damaged lithium-ion battery sits unused, the higher the risk. Dispose of old devices promptly through the right channel.
Common household items powered by lithium-ion batteries:
- Portable Electronics: Smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, digital cameras
- Personal transport: E-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards
- Vaping devices: disposable and reusable
- Power tools: cordless drills, saws and garden equipment
- Kids toys: electric ride on vehicles, remote control cars, kids tablets
- Wearables: smartwatches, fitness trackers and Bluetooth earbuds
- Other devices: Portable power banks, handheld vacuums, drones and medical equipment
