Batteries play an essential role in our everyday lives, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles; therefore, it’s important to understand the dangers they pose if mixed with general waste. However, despite their necessity, they have become a significant environmental and recycling hazard. Proper disposal is crucial to avoid serious consequences. In this article, we will discuss the risks, essential steps for safe disposal, and the vital procedures for safely managing unwanted or expired batteries.
Risks
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in electrical devices such as laptops, smartphones, electric vehicles and power tools, are normally safe and are manufactured to meet European Standards. To do their job they store a large amount of energy. They are however sensitive to high temperatures and physical damage. That’s why when a lithium-ion battery is charged, the stored energy can pose significant risks if the battery is crushed, overheated or otherwise damaged.
Fire Hazard+
One of the greatest dangers from improper battery disposal is the risk of fire. If a lithium battery is thrown away with general waste, it can end up in conditions that may cause it to ignite.
According to the British Safety Council, the number of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in the UK has increased by 46% (British Safety Council, 2024) in the past year. This significant increase underpins the importance of proper battery disposal.
We recently experienced the battery fire hazard danger at our Brown Recycling waste processing site in Burslem, when a rogue lithium battery that was mixed with general waste, caused a fire inside our RDF shredding facility. The fire required attendance by six fire engines from various stations across Staffordshire to get it under control and remove the risk of it spreading to other parts of the site.
Image taken our site in Burslem on the day of the battery incident.
Essential Steps for Proper Disposal
Proper battery disposal is crucial to prevent environmental damage and fire hazards. Here are some steps to take for properly disposing of batteries:
- Educate your employees: ensure that all staff members understand the importance of proper battery disposal and the dangers of not following the right approach.
- Locate suitable battery disposal containers around the workplace with clear signage: make it easy for everyone to dispose of batteries correctly by providing clear instructions and appropriate disposal facilities.
- Conduct audits of your waste bins: regularly check that batteries and other hazardous items aren’t being disposed with your general waste and address any issues promptly.
- Keep reminding your team: continuous education is crucial to maintaining high standards of safety and compliance in all aspects of recycling.
Many supermarkets and recycling centres provide battery collection points that everyone can use. These facilities are equipped to handle batteries safely, ensuring they don’t end up in general waste and landfill.
Other electrical items
Many companies are unaware that they have a legal responsibility to dispose of and recycle electrical equipment properly. For any device containing batteries, such as laptops, mobile phones, electric bikes, scooters, and garden tools, the best solution is to dispose of the entire device through WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling. This ensures that both the device and its battery are handled correctly. This service is available from all reputable waste management providers and most Local Authority waste disposals sites.
Summary
Mixing any type of battery with general waste poses significant risks, including environmental damage and fire hazards. By understanding the dangers and following proper disposal methods, we can mitigate these risks and contribute to a safer, more sustainable environment. Remember to use battery collection points and WEEE recycling facilities facilities to dispose of batteries safely and responsibly.
As the leading waste management company based in Staffordshire and South Cheshire, we understand the dangers of improper disposal of batteries and are always working to keep our sites, our team and our customers safe.
If you would like to find out more about Waste Electricals (WEEE) or Waste Batteries recycling options, and how Brown Recycling can help your business safely dispose of these items, get in touch with our professional team today.
Email [email protected] or call us at 01782 816 520, and we will be happy to answer any questions.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver personalised ads. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.