We all have that one drawer or box...

Hi Resident

We all have that one drawer or a box somewhere, it may be in the garage, shed or loft.

You know the one.

It's full of old charging cables, spare batteries, mystery plugs, an old phone that "might come in handy one day" and gadgets you've completely forgotten about.

Take a moment and think:

If not, it might be time for a clear-out.

Many of the electrical items we keep tucked away contain batteries. When batteries or battery-powered devices are thrown into household bins, they can be crushed during collection and processing, causing fires.

In fact, more than 1,200 battery fires were recorded in UK bin lorries and waste facilities in a single year, highlighting the growing problem of batteries being disposed of incorrectly. 

What should I recycle?

Many everyday items contain batteries, including:

What should I do?

✅ Recycle loose batteries at battery collection points, often found in supermarkets and other retailers.

✅ Recycle unwanted electrical items separately through your local recycling centre or participating retailer.

✅ Check old devices before deciding to throw away. Many contain hidden rechargeable batteries that can be recycled.

🚫 Never place batteries or battery-powered devices in your household bin, a public bin or skip.

It only takes a few minutes, but it can help prevent fires, protect waste and recycling crews, firefighters and keep valuable materials in use for longer.

Thank you for helping keep batteries out of bins.

To find out more about your local policing team including who your officers are, updates on policing priorities and details of meetings and events please visit https://www.police.uk.