Be Battery Aware

Batteries and items containing batteries should not go in any of your bins at home. Old batteries may seem ‘dead’ but they can still cause fires during the bin collection or waste sorting process.

With the rising e-waste streams, hidden batteries are found in many items in daily life including laptops, mobile phones, electric toys, Bluetooth devices, shavers, electric toothbrushes, power bank chargers, vapes and more. The campaign will also raise awareness about hidden batteries so that residents can dispose of them safely as well.

Key messages

• Be battery aware when recycling – everything with a battery, plug or cable has to be disposed of safely at a recycling point.

• Never put old batteries or electrical items in any of your bins at home. They can cause fires if crushed during bin collection or waste sorting.

• Take old batteries and items containing batteries to a household recycling centre (HWRC) or look for recycling points such as local supermarkets, shops, or your workplace.

• Check items for hidden batteries before recycling.

• Return vapes to where you bought them as retailers are obligated to provide a take-back scheme.

Read more: https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/campaigns/be-battery-aware/

Originally published 16 December 2024. This article is part of the MCR Homes archive.