The No1 Binman, a TikTok creator with more than 200,000 followers, has told households never to put batteries in their rubbish. In a video, he advised finding somewhere that collects them separately instead.
"Batteries, this one is simple - don't put them in your bin," he said. "Some councils collect batteries separately and they tell you to put in a black see-through bag. All you have to do is attach it to one of the bins, whatever it may be, and they will come collect it. There's always a place to take batteries."
Why batteries are a fire hazard
In the clip, he explained that some councils offer their own battery collections, while others expect residents to take them to a recycling centre or another collection point. He also pointed followers towards places such as supermarkets and hardware shops.
GOV.UK says batteries should not be placed in household rubbish when they are no longer wanted. Instead, they should be taken to an appropriate collection point for recycling. The government specifically warns that some lithium-ion batteries can catch fire when they are thrown into rubbish, particularly if they become damaged or wet. Once a battery is inside a bin lorry or waste facility, it can be crushed or damaged alongside other rubbish, which can create a potentially dangerous situation.
Scale of the problem
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has highlighted the scale of the issue, reporting that more than 1,200 battery-related fires occurred in UK bin lorries and waste sites in 2023, with crushed vapes and lithium batteries identified as a major cause.
That does not mean every battery is going to cause a fire, but it does explain why they are handled separately from ordinary household rubbish.
Where to recycle batteries
GOV.UK says most portable batteries can be taken to supermarkets and other large retailers that sell more than 32kg of batteries a year, as those businesses are required to provide collection points. That includes everyday AA, AAA and 9V batteries, rechargeable batteries and battery packs from products such as phones, laptops, cameras and electric toothbrushes.
If a lithium battery is removable, it should be separated from the electrical item and recycled through the appropriate route. Where the battery cannot be removed, GOV.UK says the whole product should be treated as electrical waste rather than simply putting it in the bin.
So the next time you find a dead battery hiding in a kitchen drawer, don't toss it into the nearest bin. Check your council's arrangements or use a dedicated battery recycling point instead.
