Battery recycling

Where to recycle batteries

Do not put batteries in any household bin. Take them to a battery box in a shop or supermarket, or to your local tip.

Batteries start fires in bin lorries

Material Focus counted over 1,200 battery fires in bin lorries and waste sites in the UK in a year, up from 700 in 2022.

Battery boxes in shops

Shops that sell 32kg or more of portable batteries a year must take used ones back for free. That is about one pack of 4 AA batteries a day.

The box should take every kind of household battery, not only the kinds the shop sells.

Some councils collect batteries with your recycling, often in a clear bag tied to the bin. Check your council does this first.

If the battery is built into a gadget, recycle the whole thing as an electrical item.

Binmap lists 265 places that say they take household batteries, including 230 tips.
Another 290 places may take household batteries, but they do not say so. Check before you go.

Last updated: 4 October 2026

Written by Binmap using guidance from GOV.UK and Recycle Now.

Keep a bag or tub at home for used batteries.
Cover the positive end of each battery with tape, as used batteries can still hold charge.
Take the bag to a battery box next time you go shopping.

Only put batteries out with your recycling if your council says it collects them, and follow its rules.