Batteries
Recycle at home
If your local authority accepts batteries as part of their home recycling scheme there may be special instructions on how to put them out for collection - for example, place batteries in a clear plastic bag tied to your recycling bin. It is best to check with them first.
You can check below if you can recycle batteries with your home recycling.
Recycle out of home
Yes, batteries can be recycled at some out of home recycling points.
Which types of batteries can be recycled?
All household batteries including 'button' batteries from watches.
Battery packs from laptops, mobile phones, power tools and remote control units.
Car batteries can also be recycled but only at designated collection points, not in your home recycling.
How can I reduce the number of batteries I use?
- 1
Use rechargeable batteries wherever possible or plug electrical equipment into the mains electricity.
- 2
Try to buy appliances that use renewable energy - a wind-up radio or torch, dynamo bicycle lights or solar powered garden lights.
Good to know
From February 2010, shops selling more than 32kg of batteries a year (approx 345 x four-packs of AA batteries) have to provide battery recycling collection facilities in-store.
This means there are now lots more places where you can take your old batteries for recycling - find your nearest below.