The Hidden Danger in Your Rubbish Bin: Batteries
Did you know?
That small battery in your old phone, laptop, or power tool might seem harmless — but tossing it in the bin could cause a fire, pollute the environment, and waste valuable materials. Batteries must be recycled properly and not thrown in with your general waste. There has been a 93% increase in lithium battery fires in the UK, from 2022 to 2024, according to The British Safety Council. This sharp increase in fires has been evident in bin lorries and at waste sites, where improper disposal has led to battery fires rising to an all time high.
Why can batteries be dangerous?
- Fire hazard – Batteries can be a fire hazard due to the way they store and release energy. Batteries overheating, overcharging, malfunctioning and being crushed or punctured can cause the battery to smoke, catch fire or explode.
- Difficult to extinguish – When batteries catch fire, there is an on-going chemical reaction inside the battery which keeps generating heat and fuel. Even after cooling a damaged battery, it can retain trapped heat or unstable chemical conditions, which can result in another fire hours or even days later.
- Risk to workers and the public – Batteries can overheat quickly, releasing extreme heat that may trigger a fire or explosion. This poses serious risks to waste facility workers and to firefighters tasked with extinguishing the blaze. Because fires at waste sites can spread rapidly through surrounding materials, nearby communities may also face the need to evacuate.
- Environmental damage – Fumes from fires can travel long distances, contributing to air pollution and posing a potential health risk to people, wildlife, and vegetation. These fires often need much more water to put out due to the amount of intense heat that is produced.
What common household items have batteries?
Common household items like TV remotes, radios, flashlights, and clocks often use batteries. Lithium batteries can also be found in a wide range of household and electrical products, such as e‑scooters, e‑bikes, rechargeable vapes, smartwatches, and vacuum cleaners.
How to dispose of batteries safely?
It is extremely important to dispose of these batteries properly to reduce the risk of a fire. Items which cannot be thrown into general waste will have a symbol of a crossed out wheelie bin on it to indicate that this should be recycled separately, as it is classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
Store used batteries in a cool, dry location, away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and anything flammable until they can be properly disposed of. For button and lithium batteries, cover the terminals with tape to avoid short circuits. Keep all batteries in a non-conductive container (such as a plastic bag) or their original packaging, and ensure they are kept separate from other waste and recyclables.
You can safely dispose of batteries at:
- Battery collection bins at your local supermarket
- Designated battery bins at recycling points/centres
- Many electronic retailers such as Currys and B&Q accept old batteries
Find your local recycling locations here.
We can safely dispose of batteries from commercial and business premises by van collection. However, we must be notified prior to arrange this by contacting us on 01344 620 316 or info@shorts-group.co.uk
Find out more about Shorts Waste Services here.
