A waste collector has issued a serious warning against throwing batteries into household waste, noting that certain batteries should not go in regular recycling bins either. TikTok user Ashley, known as The No1 Binman, told the BBC: "Do not put vapes or batteries in any bin. You can take them to B&Q or the vape shop you bought them from, and they're meant to dispose of them themselves."
Fire Risk in Refuse Vehicles
Leaving batteries in bins can pose a significant fire risk for refuse vehicles. Ashley recounted an incident: "I've had this before - and I'm not sure if it's a battery or a vape - the back of a lorry started smoking."
Some local authorities ask residents to place batteries on top of their bins in small carrier bags, but this arrangement must be verified locally before assuming it is permitted.
Recycling Rejection Reasons
Ashley also offered guidance on ensuring recycling gets collected. He noted that waste operatives are instructed to reject any bin containing more than five to 10% non-recyclable materials, as reported by the Express. One common reason bins are turned away is householders failing to remove packaging. He explained: "You should be taking food out if you put it in your food waste bin, rather than chucking it straight in there - like if you've got a loaf of bread that's out of date."
Polystyrene in the paper bin is another frequent error. Ashley stressed that when a delivery arrives in a cardboard box, it is vital to remove any polystyrene packaging before placing the box in the recycling. Pizza boxes, despite being cardboard, are not appropriate for recycling because grease absorbed from the pizza renders the cardboard non-recyclable.
Proper Disposal Options
The Recycle Now website states: "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." Many retailers offer battery drop-off points, and council-run recycling centres also have designated collection points for used batteries.
All household batteries, including 'button' batteries from watches, can be recycled, as can 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 home recycling.
Household batteries, including those in vapes, toys, headphones and car key fobs, have become one of the most significant and rapidly increasing causes of fire in domestic waste and recycling across the UK, according to the BBC earlier this year. In Guernsey alone, approximately 40 separate fires at waste facilities have been triggered by hazardous items, including batteries, over the past four years. When batteries are disposed of in general waste or standard recycling bins, they risk being punctured or crushed by heavy machinery during collection or processing, which can ignite a fire.
