Stop the Spark
Do not put batteries, vapes or small electrical items in your household rubbish or recycling bin. If they get crushed or damaged, they can overheat and start fires in bins, collection trucks, recycling centres and waste sites.
When you recycle these items separately, you help protect the environment. Many batteries, vapes and small electrical items contain valuable materials such as lithium, copper and aluminium. We can recycle these materials and use them again.
Before you throw something away, check if it has a plug, battery or cable. If it does, recycle it separately.
Find out what to do when disposing of:
- batteries - take batteries out of electrical items if you can do so safely and recycle them at a battery recycling point, recycling centre or local collection service, if available
- vapes - recycle vapes with small electrical items or take them to a Recycling Centre, use a local collection service, or recycle them at a vape recycling point, if available
- small electrical items - take the battery out if it is safe to do so, however, If you cannot remove it safely, recycle the whole item as a small electrical item at a recycling centre, or you can book a local collection service through your district or borough council
Why these items are a fire risk
Batteries and electrical items can be dangerous if they get damaged, crushed or punctured. This can happen if you put them in your household bin. They may then be crushed in collection vehicles or at waste and recycling sites.
Throwing these items away in the wrong way can put people at risk, including:
- bin crews
- recycling centre workers
- waste staff
- firefighters
It can also damage vehicles and equipment, interrupt services and cause sites to close for a short time.
What to recycle separately
You should recycle batteries, vapes and small electricals separately. This includes:
- loose batteries and rechargeable batteries
- vapes and vape pods
- mobile phones, chargers, cables and headphones
- electric toothbrushes, razors and personal care items
- battery-operated toys, remotes and small gadgets
- kettles, toasters, hairdryers and other small household electricals
Some items contain hidden batteries that are easy to miss, including:
- toys
- light-up decorations
- watches
- speakers
- small gadgets
If you can safely remove the battery, recycle the battery separately. If you cannot remove the batteries, then recycle the whole item as a small electrical item.
How to dispose of these items correctly
There are several ways to recycle batteries, vapes and small electrical items safely in West Sussex. The right option may depend on what the item is and where you live.
District and borough council collections
Some district and borough councils collect small electrical items, batteries and vapes separately from your usual rubbish and recycling.
Do not put these items in your household rubbish bin or recycling bin.
If your local council offers a collection service, you may need to follow special instructions. For example, you might need to:
- put items in a separate bag
- book a collection
Check your district or borough council's website for the latest collection information in your area.
Recycling Centres
You can also take batteries, vapes and small electrical items to a West Sussex Recycling Centre.
Before you visit, you must book a slot through the Book to Recycle system. This applies to all West Sussex Recycling Centres except mobile centres.
When you arrive, put your items in the correct recycling area. If you are not sure where an item goes, ask a member of staff for help.
Recycling points near you
You can use the recycling locator to find places near you where you can recycle electrical items.
The locator can help you find:
- repair services
- places to reuse items
- recycling points
- retailer take-back services, where available
Search using your postcode and check the best option for your item before you travel.
Before you bin it, check:
Does it have a plug, battery or cable? If yes, recycle it separately.
Correct disposal helps reduce the risk of fires and keeps your local community safer.