Power down the fire risk: Recycle batteries safely

For most of us, used batteries are as much part of Christmas as turkey and sprouts, with the UK going through millions of them over the festive season. Despite the huge number that will be used, many residents may not realise that batteries carry significant fire risks if they aren’t disposed of safely.  

Unlike many other household items, batteries should not be placed in either your waste or recycling bin at home, but when this happens, it can have explosive consequences. 

Lithium-ion batteries have been responsible for fires at waste sites across the UK. Batteries in refuse or recycling waste are easily damaged by the equipment used to sort the waste, and when this happens, these batteries can overheat and enter a state called thermal runaway, which may result in fires or explosions. 

What should residents do? 

To ensure this problem does not occur in Warwickshire, residents are encouraged to, firstly, opt for rechargeable batteries. These are far better for the environment as they take much longer, often years, to become part of waste streams.  

For residents who have non-rechargeable batteries (or rechargeable batteries that are no longer holding charge) to be disposed of, these should be taken to the following locations: 

Your local Household Waste Recycling Centre who all have a special section for used batteries. Or

Large supermarkets or other shops who have special bins by the checkouts and/or entrances and exits, where batteries can be disposed of safely.  

Councillor Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate & Culture said: “It’s important that our residents think very carefully about how they dispose of batteries all year round and particularly at Christmas when so many are used in a range of toys and gadgets. Something as tiny as a battery can lead to a great deal of damage and disruption to our household waste recycling centres when they are disposed of incorrectly. 

“For our environmentally conscious residents who are thinking about making Christmas 2024 as sustainable as possible, why not make the switch from disposable to rechargeable battery technology? It’s the little decisions that we make that can make a big difference to our environment as we strive for a Warwickshire that is sustainable now and for future generations.” 

Find out more about having a green Christmas in 2024 here: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/news/article/5831/warwickshire-says-no-to-wasteful-christmas

Into 2025, the Council is continuing its pledge campaign that asks residents to commit to making small lifestyle changes for the environment: https://www.warwickshireclimateemergency.org.uk/greenpledges     

Residents can follow Warwickshire Recycles on social media for daily tips on recycling: 

• On X – https://twitter.com/Warksrecycles    

• On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/warwickshirerecycles  

For more information about how Warwickshire County Council is facing the challenges of climate change and long-term sustainability, visit: https://www.sustainablewarwickshire.co.uk/   

Get the latest news about how Warwickshire County Council and partners are facing the challenge of the climate emergency and how you can get involved: http://eepurl.com/hrk-zf