Never bin your batteries
Binning your batteries is a fire risk and is harmful to people and the planet.
- There are an estimated 5.7 million used batteries in households across the country with the potential to cause serious harm.
- Industry estimates there are three fires a week in waste and recycling collection trucks attributed to batteries.
This comes at a huge cost to councils, industries, and communities. By keeping used batteries out of general waste and recycling bins you make a difference by preventing fires and minimising collection costs.
Why binning batteries is dangerous
- Throwing used batteries away in general waste and recycling bins is a serious fire hazard. Any battery that holds a charge can spark and cause a fire.
- Button batteries are a particular fire risk because they have a large battery terminal that can easily spark. They can also cause internal burns if swallowed by small children and pets.
- Lithium batteries are particularly dangerous. When crushed inside a collection truck they can self-ignite and cause explosive fires.
- Incorrect disposal of used batteries can release toxic substances like lead and mercury, harming the environment.
How to Safely Dispose of Batteries
- Never bin your batteries in general waste or recycling bins.
- Tape battery terminals with clear sticky tape. This prevents the battery terminals from touching, which can make them spark and catch fire.
- Take batteries to a designated drop-off point.
Battery drop-off points
- B-cycle: Visit B-cycle and enter your postcode and battery type, for a full list of recycling drop-off points for standard-sized batteries used to power household items (AA, AAA, C, D etc.), Find a B-cycle Drop off point.
- Battery World or Supercheap Auto: to recycle car batteries
- Council Waste and Recycling facilities: You can drop-off all types of batteries free of cost at any of our Waste and recycling facilities.
Battery safety at home
Follow these tips to ensure safety at home:
- Tape battery terminals with clear sticky tape and store them in a fire-resistant container like a glass jar. To avoid pressure build-up, keep the lid loose so air can escape.
- Keep new and used batteries out of reach of children and pets.
- Avoid overcharging battery-operated devices.
- New batteries should remain in their original packaging and should not be stored longer than 6 months.
- Take used batteries to a designated drop-off point for recycling.
Battery recycling benefits
Used batteries can have devastating impacts when they’re thrown in the bin.
Recycling batteries:
- Helps reduce toxic landfill waste.
- Reuses precious resources like lithium, cobalt, and manganese to make new batteries and other metal products.
- Protects our environment and communities.