How and where to recycle your electricals Batteries and vapes- the hidden fire risk in your home

Batteries and vapes cause fires

Batteries (including hidden ones in devices like vapes) can ignite when crushed in bin lorries or recycling centres. This causes explosive, toxic, fast‑spreading fires which can ignite other waste materials.

Last year there were over 1,200 battery‑related fires in UK waste facilities and vehicles, costing more than £1 billion in damage, and risking the safety of the staff who deal with our waste and recycling, nearby communities, and the emergency services.

Items with hidden batteries

Items that can be charged or which contain a battery (and the batteries themselves) should never be placed in your general waste or recycling bin with other types of waste. Common items include:

  • Vapes (disposable & rechargeable)
  • Phones, tablets, laptops
  • Electric toothbrushes & shavers
  • Toys
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Smartwatches & fitness trackers

How to recycle batteries and items with hidden batteries safely

Vape recycling: what to do

All vapes contain lithium batteries, which are a serious fire risk if binned, and which pollute the environment if littered.

How to dispose of rechargeable vapes:

  • If possible, remove the old battery and replace it with a new one. Recycle the old battery at a dedicated battery collection point.
  • If the entire device needs to be disposed of, take it to a dedicated vape bin or small electricals collection point.

Find your nearest battery and small electricals collection points at: https://recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/electrical-recycling-near-me/

Single‑use vapes:

Recycle the whole device (including the battery) by taking it to any Recycling and Household Waste Site in Leicestershire, or any small electrical recycling point. Find your nearest at: https://recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/electrical-recycling-near-me/

The UK banned the sale of single‑use vapes on 1 June 2025 to tackle rising waste and youth vaping, but the problem hasn’t disappeared. Millions are still being thrown away each week, and hidden lithium batteries continue to cause fires in bin lorries and waste sites.

Manufacturers are also sidestepping the ban by selling very cheap “rechargeable” vapes that work like disposables. Many people still report seeing disposable‑style vapes on shop shelves. Advice on reporting the illegal sale of single use vapes is available from Trading Standards.

Up to 80% of vape materials can be recycled, including lithium, used in electric car batteries.

 

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