Batteries definitely fall under the category of hazardous waste. In February 2010, the UK Environment Agency created battery waste regulations. These regulations ensured that battery waste was disposed of safely and securely. Following these legislations many small businesses who sell batteries were given in-store battery disposal collection bins.
Certain batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. This page can inform you on how to manage these batteries safely. Waste batteries can always be recycled or taken to household hazardous waste collection points.
Organisations must: ensure the batteries are taken to an authorised waste facility. Organisations must not dispose of batteries via household tips. Batteries must be collected by a registered waste carrier and taken to an authorised waste facility. For more information on waste duty of care, have a look at our waste duty of care training.
Lithium batteries may remain hazardous waste after being discharged because they contain ignitable solvents. The universal waste regulations allow handlers to remove electrolyte from batteries as long as the battery cell is closed immediately after electrolyte is removed, but this is not a likely management scenario for lithium batteries.
Once a battery has arrived at the destination facility (i.e., a permitted treatment, storage, or disposal facility or a hazardous waste recycler) for recycling or disposal, it is no longer a universal waste, but a fully regulated hazardous waste.
Here’s what you need to know There is a common misconception that waste batteries can be disposed of via household tips. The Compliance People Consultant Katie Pritchard advises how organisations can dispose of waste batteries safely and in compliance with the law.