Illustration of how to punch a household battery

Can you take a battery out of a computer?

The one exception is where the battery is part of the device and cannot be taken out, in items such as calculators and e-cigarettes. These need to be treated as electrical products. You can take waste electrical products to your local household waste recycling centre (where they should be segregated from other types of waste).

Can a battery catch fire if dumped in a rubbish bin?

There’s also a safety issue to bear in mind, as some types of battery (lithium-ion) can catch fire if dumped in your rubbish bin, particularly if they get wet or are damaged. You can take most waste batteries to your local supermarket, or any other big shop nearby that sells over 32 kg of batteries a year.

Should lithium batteries be taped up?

(The terminals of lithium batteries should ideally be taped up first, to prevent any risk of fire.) The one exception is where the battery is part of the device and cannot be taken out, in items such as calculators and e-cigarettes. These need to be treated as electrical products.

Can you put batteries in a waste bin?

WRWA would like to remind residents that they should not put their batteries in a waste bin, recycling sack or wheely bin. Loose batteries, or electricals with batteries hidden inside, do need to be recycled separately. You’ll find advice on where you can drop them off on our website.

Can batteries cause fires?

People are often surprised to hear that batteries can cause fires in both bin lorries and waste plants, but they do and as we use and dispose of more electronic devices these incidents are not rare.” WRWA would like to remind residents that they should not put their batteries in a waste bin, recycling sack or wheely bin.

Where can I take a 'portable' battery?

You can take most waste batteries to your local supermarket, or any other big shop nearby that sells over 32 kg of batteries a year. There should be a collection point at the premises for ‘portable’ batteries.