Batteries, vapes and electricals: the fire-risk items
Batteries can be damaged when waste is compacted or processed. Keep loose batteries and battery-powered products out of household recycling and general waste unless your council provides a clearly labelled dedicated service.
Household batteries
Use a retailer battery collection or your recycling centre. Keep damaged or swollen batteries separate, avoid crushing them and follow local fire-service or council advice for safe handling. Some schemes ask you to tape exposed terminals on lithium or button cells.
Vapes and e-cigarettes
A vape contains a battery and electrical components. Return it to a retailer that accepts vapes or use a dedicated council electrical/vape collection. Do not dismantle it or put it in a kerbside bin. Full answer →
Small electricals
Kettles, toasters, chargers, cables, toys and other items with a plug, battery or charging port are electrical waste. Use retailer take-back, a council small-electrical collection or a recycling centre.
Phones, laptops and tablets
Reuse and refurbishment are usually preferable when the device still works. Back up what you need, sign out of accounts, remove SIM and memory cards, and follow the manufacturer's reset instructions before handing it over.
Set up a safe holding point
Keep a small dry container for spent household batteries and a separate box for unwanted electricals. Store them away from heat and take them to a suitable collection regularly.
✓ Last checked: 17 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?