BinMate
Keep loose batteries out of your general waste, mixed recycling and food bin. Use a suitable battery collection service. Some councils collect batteries separately from the kerbside, so follow that service’s instructions rather than putting them inside an ordinary bin.
Choose the right collection route
| What you have | What to check before taking it |
|---|---|
| Used AA, AAA and other household cells | A shop battery point or council collection that accepts that type |
| A laptop or power-tool pack | The manufacturer, retailer or recycling centre’s battery-pack rules |
| An e-bike or e-scooter battery | A service that specifically accepts these packs; ask first |
| A car battery | A vehicle-battery return or recycling service |
| A device with a built-in battery | An electrical recycling service; do not force the battery out |
Use the Recycle Now locator to find options, then confirm acceptance with the operator. A small shop collection box is not permission to leave any size or condition of battery there.
Is every shop required to take batteries back?
No. The government specifies a sales threshold of 32kg of portable batteries a year for the retailer take-back duty. It does not mean every shop accepts vehicle batteries or damaged packs. See the retailer responsibilities.
If your council offers a separate battery collection, check its packaging, position and battery-type rules. Do not copy another council’s “bag on the lid” arrangement without checking yours.
A hot, swollen or damaged battery needs different advice
Stop using or charging a battery showing warning signs. Do not put it into a normal recycling box, seal it in a metal tin or take a hot battery on a routine trip to the tip. Contact the manufacturer or the receiving service for instructions appropriate to its condition.
The London Fire Brigade identifies overheating, swelling, unusual smells and noises as warning signs. If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999. Do not attempt to carry a burning device outside.
Before recycling an undamaged battery
Keep it away from children and loose metal objects. Follow the collection service’s advice on protecting terminals and packaging. Do not puncture, crush or dismantle cells. Remove a battery from equipment only when it is designed to be removed safely by the user; otherwise recycle the whole device through an appropriate electrical service.
Can batteries go in my recycling bin?
Not loose in ordinary mixed recycling. A council’s separate battery scheme is a different collection route with its own instructions.
Can I leave a large battery beside a shop collection box?
No. Ask the staff or manufacturer for a suitable route. Leaving an unaccepted pack creates a problem for the people who handle the collection.
For other materials, see what can be recycled.
