A small battery can create a serious risk when it ends up in a household waste container. Pressure and damage during collection or processing can cause batteries to catch fire or even explode.
In guidance published on July 30, 2025, Rd4 warned that batteries do not belong with residual waste, PMD, or GFT. Fires can produce smoke, endanger collection and processing staff, and make an entire load unusable.
The rule also applies when the battery is hidden inside a product. Toys, electric toothbrushes, small lights, and other devices with a built-in battery should be handed in as electrical equipment instead of being placed in a household container.
Before disposing of a battery or battery-powered device:
- Take loose batteries to a shop collection point or a recycling centre
- Hand in devices with a built-in battery as electrical equipment
- Tape the terminals of loose batteries to help prevent a short circuit
- Never place batteries in residual waste, PMD, or GFT
Your waste collection calendar covers the streams collected from home. Batteries and battery-powered devices need their own safe trip to an approved collection point.