Batteries are in so many of the things that we use daily that it is inevitable that everyone ends up having plenty of spent batteries around the house. As a nation, we use around 600 million annually. Unfortunately, when it comes to end-of-life disposal of these batteries, things can get a little more complicated.

Batteries that have reached the end of their life need to be disposed of properly. This does not mean putting them in the general waste bin or with your normal mixed recycling. They must be disposed of at appropriate battery recycling points.

Improper battery disposal
Batteries that are not disposed of correctly can start fires. Unfortunately, this is just one of the dangers associated with improper battery disposal.

In addition, incorrectly disposed of batteries can pollute the environment, ultimately impacting human and animal health.

Let’s take a little look at each of these risks in more detail:

Fire Hazard

  • Batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, have the potential to ignite, especially when surrounded by combustible materials in bins and waste facilities.
  • Fires can damage property, endanger lives, and disrupt waste services

Environmental pollution

  • Hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, and lithium can be found in batteries. These materials can cause pollution in the environment
  • Batteries that are simply left to decay in landfills can leak chemicals into the soil and water
  • Toxic fumes are produced when batteries are incinerated.

Harm to health

Incorrect disposal of batteries can also represent a health hazard. Workers who are required to handle lithium-ion batteries for long periods can be at risk of developing several diseases, including cancer and mesothelioma.

Proper battery disposal
Disposing of batteries correctly is much easier than you might think. There are battery recycling points closer than you may realise. They can be recycled in many local supermarkets and larger stores, and you can buy battery recycling bins for your workplace.

The dangers involved with the disposal of lithium batteries are amplified if they are not fully sealed or are damaged during the disposal process. Similarly, danger can be amplified if they come into contact with water – this might be rain, condensation, or any water or liquid in the place they are disposed of. This water can be enough to ignite a lithium battery, no matter how small the amount.

Risks can become present at any point during the disposal process. However, if it happens when the batteries are in a closed space, such as a bin lorry because they have been disposed of with household waste, it can cause a small but highly concentrated fire within the vehicle. This fire can “feed off” the other waste, which has the potential to cause significant vehicle damage and put lives at risk.

It may seem a hassle to find the proper place to dispose of your batteries, but your nearest drop-off may be closer than you think.

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