Batteries, Electrical Items and Vapes

There were 1200 battery fires in waste lorries and sites across the UK last year.

Its a growing problem too, due to the steep rise in the number of portable electrical items containing lithium-ion batteries. Batteries are hidden inside many everyday household electricals, from laptops, mobile phones and tablets, to electric toothbrushes, vapes and earpods. These batteries can become crushed or damaged in waste lorries and can lead to fires.

New research from Recycle Your Electricals, shows that over 1.1bn electricals and 449.9m loose batteries were binned in the last year. UK adults admitted that on average they’d binned at least 24 batteries, including 15 electricals containing batteries and 9 loose batteries - this included 260m vapes.

Test Valley Borough Council Waste Collection Vehicle Fire

Test Valley Waste Collection Vehicle Fires:

We have had a few battery fires in our waste collection vehicles - and recently we had two in one day, with Hampshire Fire and Rescue called out on both occasions. With each vehicle costing around £220,000 we are working hard to inform our residents how to properly dispose of their batteries, electrical items and vapes.

Don't bin your batteries!

Recycling electricals and batteries is easier than ever.

Batteries, of all kinds, whether loose or hidden in our electricals should always recycled.

If possible, remove the batteries from any electricals and recycle the batteries and electricals separately at your local household waste recycling centre, supermarket or other battery recycling point.

If you can’t remove the batteries, then always recycle your electricals at your nearest electrical recycling point.

Never put your batteries, electricals or vapes in your brown or black bins at home.

To find your nearest recycling point click here: Electrical Recycling Locator.

Vape recycling points are not always visible in store - ask a member of staff.

Thank you for your co-operation and support