A refuse collector has warned against putting batteries in household bins, highlighting the fire risks they pose. TikTok influencer 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 hazard in refuse lorries
Leaving batteries in bins can present a considerable fire hazard to refuse lorries. Ashley added: "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 councils do allow residents to place batteries on top of their bins in small carrier bags, though residents should verify whether this is applicable in their area before assuming it is permitted.
Recycling bin rules
Ashley also provided advice on ensuring recycling is collected each time. Refuse workers are instructed to leave any bin that contains more than five to 10% non-recyclable waste. One of the most frequent causes for recycling bins being turned away is homeowners neglecting 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put it in your food waste bin, rather than chucking it straight in there – like if you've got a loaf of bread that's out of date." Another common issue is polystyrene ending up in the paper bin. Ashley emphasises that if an item is delivered in a cardboard box, it is essential to strip out any polystyrene packaging before placing the box in your recycling.
When it comes to pizza boxes, while they are usually made from cardboard, they remain inappropriate for the recycling bin. The grease soaked up from the pizza makes the cardboard non-recyclable, as it cannot be simply cleaned off.
Where to recycle batteries
The Recycle Now website reads: "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."
As an alternative, numerous retailers provide battery drop-off facilities for recycling, and council-operated recycling centres are also expected to have specific collection areas for spent batteries.
All household batteries including 'button' batteries from watches, battery packs from laptops, mobile phones, power tools and remote control units can be recycled. Car batteries can also be recycled but only at designated collection points, not in home recycling.
Household batteries, including those found in vapes, toys, headphones and car key fobs, have emerged as one of the most significant and rapidly growing causes of fires in domestic waste and recycling across the UK. In Guernsey alone, roughly 40 individual fires at waste facilities had been sparked by hazardous items, including batteries, over the preceding four years. When batteries are thrown away in general waste or standard recycling bins, there is a risk of them being punctured or crushed by heavy machinery during collection or processing, which can trigger a blaze.
