Weird Waste: how to recycle batteries
Weird Waste – what to do with old batteries
Our #WeirdWaste blog series is here to answer the age-old question: “how am I meant to dispose of this?”
We’re exploring how to recycle, reuse or dispose of unusual household items. Come with us, as we go beyond bottles, cans and card! Today, we’re going to tell you how to safely and legally recycle batteries in Bristol.
These everyday items, from AA batteries from the TV remote, to vape batteries and power packs, all the way up to large batteries from e-scooters or power tools, can be incredibly dangerous if put in the wrong bin! So, read on to find out what to do (and what not to do) with old batteries.
Always recycle batteries correctly in one of the following ways:
- For those with kerbside recycling collections, place batteries in a clear plastic bag and in your black recycling box
- Take batteries to your local Household Reuse and Recycling Centre
- You can also take batteries to local supermarket drop-off points. Check your nearest battery recycling drop off point here.
Never put batteries in the bin
Batteries in the wrong bin cause fires.
When you bin batteries, they might get pierced or damaged by the sorting and compacting mechanisms in the trucks, or at our depots.
This means that the chemicals batteries contain, like lithium, can leak out. They’re not only extremely toxic to people and the environment, they’re also really flammable. Batteries in the wrong bin cause numerous fires every year, causing damage to property and putting our crews lives at risk.
Batteries need to be disposed of via methods that are specifically designed for batteries. This keeps people, and the environment safe.
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