Battery fires are on the rise, can you help to stamp them out?
The Recycle Your Electricals campaign has announced that there were more than 1,200 battery fires in bin lorries and waste sites across the UK in the last year.
Batteries are hidden in so many of our everyday items – from mobile phones and vapes to electric toothbrushes and children’s toys. All of which can pose a danger if not handled carefully, especially when it comes to throwing them away.
Batteries contain toxic chemicals, and can be flammable if crushed or if these overheat. The chemicals are also harmful to the environment.
Never bin batteries, always recycle them. When we recycle batteries, we help to prevent fires and the chemicals they contain are not wasted.
Look for the crossed out wheelie bin symbol
All batteries and electrical products should display the ‘Crossed out wheelie bin’ symbol. This means they should not be put into your household rubbish when they no longer work or are no longer wanted. Instead, they should be recycled.
What to do with batteries and electricals
Batteries and small electricals can be recycled at the kerbside. Plastic bags (not black sacks), can be used to recycle batteries and electricals with your kerbside collection.
- Small household batteries– Put in a tied small plastic bag, like a bread bag.
- Small household electrical items– No bigger than a carrier bag (such as kettles or toasters, no TVs or monitors). Put in an untied plastic bag.
Small batteries can also be recycled at many local drop-off points. Find one local to you via Recycle your electricals' Electrical recycling near me webpage.
Electrical items which are larger than a carrier bag should be taken to your local recycling site.