Putting dangerous waste in your regular household waste or recycling bin can cause fires and explosions.
We don't collect dangerous items with your regular bin collections, but we can help you dispose of them.
Dangerous items include:
- Vapes
- Electrical items
- Batteries
- Gas canisters and bottles
Vapes
E-cigarettes, single-use vapes, rechargeable vapes and those that are rechargeable with a single-use chamber are classified as Waste Electronic or Electrical Equipment (WEEE), and cannot be disposed of through household waste or recycling collections.
You can recycle your vape safely in the following ways:
1) All household electronic and electrical items can be recycled at Jenkins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Before taking the device to the centre, users should always ensure the e-liquid has been fully drained.
If the vape has an easily-detachable battery, then you should separate it out and put the battery in the lithium battery bin and the rest in the small electrical bin.
If not, you can put the vape straight into the small electrical bin with the battery attached.
2) Find out your nearest vape recycling point through Recycle Your Electricals
3) Post your finished vapes to an online retailer
Vapes can be disposed of through take-back schemes with the retailer. With most take-back schemes, you are given a pack to post the vapes back for free. However, some of them also let you drop off vapes in stores. Here are a few options:
4) See if your local vape shop will accept used vapes
If you aren’t able to dispose in the ways listed above or you don’t feel clear on your local regulations, keep your disposed vapes safe and when you next go to buy a vape, bring them with you as most vape shops have dedicated bins for used vapes.
Electrical items
Anything that requires batteries or a plug to operate is classified as Waste Electronic or Electrical Equipment (WEEE) and cannot be disposed of through household waste or recycling collections.
All household electronic and electrical items can be recycled at Jenkins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre.
If you are booking a clothing collection from our partner, Traid you can also give the driver small electrical items such as a kettle or toaster.
Most retailers will offer to collect your old appliances for recycling when they deliver your new ones.
Larger items such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and TVs can be collected for a fee via the bulky waste collection service.
Batteries
The batteries that are found in many electronic devices can become damaged and cause fires when not disposed of correctly. Never put batteries in your household waste or recycling bins. Only recycle them using a proper battery recycling service.
All batteries can be recycled at Jenkins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre.
All large battery retailers are obliged to take back used household batteries for recycling.
Find your nearest collection point >
There is more information on safe battery disposal on the Take Charge campaign website >
Gas canisters and bottles
Throwing gas canisters like Nox canisters and bottles into your household recycling or waste bins can cause explosions and fires, even when they’re empty.
Gas canisters and bottles can be recycled at Jenkins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Most gas bottles can also be returned and refilled by local retailers.
For advice about Calor Gas bottles, visit their refill, exchange and return page.
For gas cylinders other than Calor Gas, read the advice on the Liquid Gas UK website.
