Battery recycling: how it works and the rules for businesses
Battery recycling recovers the metals inside used batteries, such as lead, lithium, cobalt and nickel, so they can be used again. Batteries must never go in a general waste or recycling bin, because they can start fires when crushed. A business must store them separately and hand them to an authorised collector.
Battery recycling: key facts
| Never in the bin | Crushed batteries cause fires in bin lorries and at waste sites |
|---|---|
| Fires linked to batteries | More than 1,200 a year in the UK waste system, according to research by Material Focus |
| Shops | Those that sell 32 kilograms or more of portable batteries a year must take old ones back free |
| Vehicle and industrial batteries | Cannot be sent to landfill or burned |
| Scrap value | Lead acid batteries are bought for their lead |
Types of battery and how each is recycled
| Type | Found in | What happens to it |
|---|---|---|
| Lead acid | Cars, lorries, forklifts, backup power | Broken up. The lead is melted and reused, and the plastic case is recycled |
| Lithium ion | Phones, laptops, power tools, e bikes, electric cars | Discharged, shredded and processed to recover lithium, cobalt and nickel |
| Alkaline | Household AA and AAA cells | Shredded to recover steel, zinc and manganese |
| Nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride | Older tools and emergency lighting | Heated to recover nickel and cadmium |
| Button cells | Watches and hearing aids | Processed to recover silver and other metals |
The rules for businesses
The battery regulations ban vehicle and industrial batteries from landfill and incineration, and make producers and larger shops take batteries back. For a business with waste batteries, three duties matter most.
- Keep them apart. Store batteries in a container made for them, in a cool, dry place. Tape the terminals of lithium batteries.
- Treat them as hazardous waste. Lead acid, nickel cadmium and lithium batteries need a consignment note. See our guide to hazardous waste.
- Use an authorised collector. Check that the carrier is registered and ask where the batteries will be recycled.
Which batteries can you sell?
Lead acid batteries have a scrap value, because lead is easy to recover. Garages and fleets are usually paid for them by licensed scrap dealers. See the current scrap lead prices. Other types normally cost a small amount to collect. Damaged or swollen lithium batteries need a specialist.
Battery recycling near me
Households can use the collection tubs in supermarkets and at council recycling centres. Businesses need a collector that is authorised to carry batteries.
Frequently asked questions
Can batteries be recycled?
Yes. All common types can be recycled, and the lead, lithium, cobalt, nickel and steel inside them are recovered for reuse.
Why can batteries not go in the bin?
They can be crushed in the bin lorry or at the waste site and catch fire. Lithium batteries are the main cause.
Are batteries hazardous waste?
Lead acid, nickel cadmium and lithium batteries are. A business must store them separately and use a consignment note when they are collected.
Do scrap dealers pay for old car batteries?
Yes. Lead acid batteries are bought for the lead they contain. The dealer must be licensed and cannot pay in cash.
Where can I recycle batteries near me?
Households can use the collection points in shops that sell batteries and at council recycling centres. Businesses should use an authorised waste carrier.
How does battery recycling work?
Batteries are sorted by type, then broken up or shredded so that the lead, lithium, cobalt, nickel and steel inside can be recovered and used again.