How to Dispose of Batteries?

Can I put Batteries in the Bin?

Batteries come in all shapes and sizes and are used constantly. But when they go dead you must dispose of used batteries in the correct and legal manner. Batteries cannot be placed in your general waste bin as they contain hazardous materials and can also be a fire risk. This also applies for hired skips.  Most of the disposal options depend on the type of batteries you are trying to get rid of.

What Types of Batteries are There?

Before we can talk about how to get rid of batteries, we need to know what battery types there are. Different batteries need different disposal methods. 

Button Batteries

Also known as LR44 batteries. These are mall cylindrical shaped batteries normally found in small electronic devices such as scales and calculators or in watches.

Car Batteries

These will be found in all motor vehicles and if they are unable to be recharged, will need to be disposed of.

Alkaline Non-Rechargeable Batteries

The most common household batteries, long, cylindrical, and normally named AA batteries or AAA batteries. Used in things like TV remote controls, Torches, and Kids toys.

Rechargeable Batteries

They are exactly what they say on the tin, batteries you can recharge. Found in power tools or RC devices. These batteries contain raw materials like nickel and cadmium, both of which are hazardous chemicals. These batteries can leak chemicals like mercury, lead, and cadmium, these can contaminate the environment. 

Lithium-ion Batteries

They use reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. These batteries are found in laptops, tablets, and mobile-phones.

How to get Rid of Batteries?

Disposing of Button Batteries

The best way to get rid of your old batteries is to take them to any local designated collection points, these can be found in many shops selling batteries. Another option is to take the batteries to a local recycling centre. Here the batteries will be sent for recycling. You can find your nearest centre by contacting your local council. 

Disposing of Car Batteries

If you car battery runs flat and will not charge it needs disposing of. The easiest option is to have the garage, who is replacing the old battery, to dispose of it for you. The garage will safely recycle the battery so you do not need to worry. If you have replaced the car battery yourself, you can take it to one of the local household waste recycling centres. They will have a designated collection points where you can drop off your electrical recycling, this will include car batteries.

Disposing of Alkaline Non-Rechargeable Batteries

AA batteries can be disposed of by taking them to your local recycling centre or taking them to certain retailers who can have a recycling bin to recycle batteries.

Disposing of Rechargeable Batteries

The best way to dispose of this battery type is battery recycling. Take the batteries to your local recycling centre or hazardous waste centre, contact your local authority to find your nearest.

Disposing of Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are mainly found in mobile phones, laptops and tablets. When the battery on your smart phone dies and you have it replaced the repair service will dispose of the battery for you. If you replace the lithium-ion battery yourself do not place the old battery in your household bin. These types of batteries are an extreme fire hazard and can even explode. Take them to a recycling centre or hazardous waste centre. 

Battery Collection

If you want a very convenient battery disposal option, you can hire a professional service to collect and dispose of any battery type. This option is more expensive but less hassle knowing they will be disposed of properly. JustHire has partnered with a hazardous waste company that can collect any type of battery from your location, anywhere in the UK!

Can you put Batteries in a Skip?

No, you should not put batteries in a skip. Batteries contain hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals, which can be harmful to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.

Summary - How to Dispose of Batteries?

Do not throw old batteries into a black bin, this can be dangerous for humans but also damaging to the environment when the end up at landfill sites. Recycling batteries is the best option for most types of battery disposal. Find your nearest recycling centre and take the waste batteries there. Look for some retailers who will have a battery recycling bin.