Batteries cannot be thrown into your household rubbish bin, and many people are only just realising why – as it’s because they could pose a danger to you and the environment
Millions of us use batteries every day to power a whole host of devices. Many appliances now come with rechargeable batteries, so we often don’t get through as many of the traditional alkaline ones as we used to. But devices such as our TV remotes, some gaming controllers, some automatic air fresheners, and electronic children’s toys still need batteries.
Did you know, however, that batteries should never be thrown into household waste or the recycling bin? It turns out many people had no idea all batteries and electrical products should never be thrown away when they no longer work, as they could pose a huge danger to yourself and the wider environment.
In an Instagram video shared by Alexandra Fisher, she explained batteries can cause fires when placed into your normal rubbish bin, even if they’re already dead and have no juice left in them.
The woman, who worked as an EMT (emergency medical technician) at a fire department in the US for 10 years, said: “I’m not going to throw it in the trash. First of all, we don’t throw batteries in the trash. Second, did you know that this battery, even a dead battery, can cause a fire in your house?
“Yes, this little battery, even if it’s dead, can cause a fire in your house through the positive and negative charges. If it hits another battery and they form a connection, it can start a fire. It doesn’t take much to cause a little spark.”
Most people will have a jar or a bag where they keep their dead batteries so they can amass a larger collection before taking them to be recycled. In order to protect your home while your batteries are waiting to be taken away, Alexandra said you can cover both ends of each battery with a piece of tape to prevent them from connecting with other batteries.
It’s not just fire that poses a risk when it comes to batteries, though. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that can leak into the environment if left to degrade in a landfill with the rest of your household waste.
Alexandra also stated in the US, it is legal in every state except California to dispose of alkaline batteries in your everyday rubbish. However, lithium batteries must be disposed of at a battery disposal centre.
In the UK, however, batteries cannot be disposed of in regular waste. According to the GOV.UK website, batteries can be taken to your local supermarket or to any other big shop that sells them, as these places should have disposal centres.
The website also recommends taping the ends of lithium batteries specifically in order to prevent the risk of fire.
Commenters on the post thanked Alexandra for her advice, as many people admitted they had no idea their batteries could be a fire risk – even when they’re dead.
One person said: “I’ve never heard this in my life. How are we still alive?”
Another asked: “So you’re not supposed to keep all your loose batteries together in a zip-lock bag?”
A third wrote: “How am I just now learning this?”