How to Dispose of Lithium Laptop Batteries Safely in the UK
Do you have an old laptop collecting dust in your cupboard? Perhaps your laptop’s battery has swollen, and you are not sure what to do about it? You are not alone. Millions of laptops are retired every year in the UK, and many of these have a common question on their minds: how to dispose of lithium laptop batteries safely. Well, in this article, we are going to answer your question in detail.
Lithium-ion batteries are used in almost every laptop in the world. While they are great when they are functioning properly, they can be downright dangerous when they are not. You can’t just dispose of your laptop in the general bin, which is not just a bad idea but also illegal in the UK.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from safe removal to where to recycle laptop batteries near you.
Why You Can’t Just Bin a Laptop Battery
Lithium-ion batteries have toxic materials in them. When they are disposed of in a landfill, they can leak these toxic materials into the ground. Not to mention, they can catch on fire, which happens to be one of the leading causes of fires in waste processing plants in the UK.
Under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, it’s a legal requirement for the disposal of batteries to be carried out via recycling channels.
So, whether you’re clearing out a home office or managing a whole fleet of laptops via a business, the regulations are the same: dispose of the laptop battery via recycling channels, full stop.
What Is a Swollen Laptop Battery and Is It Dangerous?
If you’ve ever noticed that the lid of your laptop will no longer close fully, or the bottom of the laptop seems to be bowing out, then you may be dealing with a swollen laptop battery. A swollen laptop battery occurs when there are gases building up inside the cells of the battery.
A swollen battery is not something to ignore. Here’s what it can do:
- Crack the laptop casing from the inside out
- Damage other internal components as it expands
- Cause a fire or chemical leak if punctured or placed under pressure
- Vent toxic fumes in a confined space
The answer to the above question is: handle it with care, stop using the laptop immediately, and dispose of it via recycling channels as soon as possible.
Can I Throw Away a Swollen Battery?
This is one of the most common questions that we’re asked, and the answer to that question is a firm no.
Can I dispose of a swollen battery in the general waste bin? No, you cannot dispose of a swollen battery in the general waste bin. This is because a swollen battery is more volatile than a regular battery. Therefore, you should not dispose of it in the general waste bin or the recycling box because it may burst and cause a fire. The refuse collection vehicles compact the waste, and a damaged battery may burst due to the compacting and cause a fire.
Here’s what you should do instead:
- Stop using the laptop right now and don’t charge the battery.
- If the battery is removable, take it out of the laptop.
- Store it somewhere cool and dry, away from flammable materials, and ideally in a non-flammable container or bag designed for lithium batteries.
- Dispose of the battery at a disposal site as soon as you can.
Do not store a swollen battery long-term. The longer you wait to dispose of the battery, the greater the risk it will continue to swell or burst.
How to Dispose of Laptop Batteries: Your Options in the UK
There are several easy ways to dispose of lithium batteries safely in the UK, regardless of whether you’re an individual or a business.
1. Local Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)
Your local authorities in the UK have at least one HWRC, also called the “tip” or the “recycling centre.” Most of these facilities have an electrical waste disposal area where you can dispose of old batteries.
You can take your old laptop or battery to the HWRC free of charge.
Visit the website of your local authorities to locate the nearest HWRC and check the opening hours before going there.
2. In-Store Battery Recycling Points
Many big stores in the UK are legally obliged to have a battery take-back system in place. The stores include:
- Curry’s
- Argos
- Staples
- Many supermarkets with electronics sections
…all of which have collection bins near the entrance or checkout area, while others will take whole laptops in for recycling, not just the batteries.
3. Manufacturer and Brand Take-Back Schemes
Many of the big laptop manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple, have their own recycling schemes in place. These are usually free, can be done by post, and details of their current take-back schemes can be found by visiting their websites.
4. Registered Waste Carriers and IT Recycling Services
If you are a business looking to recycle a large number of laptops, this is probably the best option to go with. A registered IT recycler, such as Gigacycle’s laptop disposal service, will recycle your laptops in bulk, while at the same time providing you with the necessary paperwork to prove that you have disposed of your waste in a responsible manner.
If you are in charge of company laptops, you will also want to think about data sanitisation before you recycle them, as you will want to ensure that any information is not recoverable by others.
Where to Recycle Laptop Batteries: A Quick Reference
| Disposal Method | Best For | Cost |
| Household Waste Recycling Centre | Home users, single batteries | Free |
| In-store retail collection points | Home users near major retailers | Free |
| Manufacturer take-back schemes | Users of major brands | Usually free |
| IT recycling companies | Businesses, bulk disposal | Varies (often free or paid for value) |
| Royal Mail Freepost schemes | Remote users, small volumes | Free |
How to Safely Remove a Laptop Battery Before Recycling
It’s a good idea to know what you are dealing with before you take a laptop or battery to any of the above recycling points, so here is a brief guide to help you identify what you have, although you should always check the manual to see exactly what type of battery you have in your particular model of laptop.
For laptops with removable batteries (older models):
- Power off the laptop completely, then unplug the charger
- Flip the laptop over and locate the battery latch
- Slide or press the latch to release the battery pack
- Lift the battery straight out without bending or flexing it
For laptops with sealed batteries (Ultrabooks, Laptops Built in the Last 5 Years, etc.):
- Don’t try to open the laptop yourself, as this can be tricky and requires some experience with laptop repair
- Take the laptop to a recycling facility, as they have the tools to safely remove the battery
In either instance, be sure not to use too much force, as a swollen battery will have internal pressures that can be triggered by a puncture wound, potentially resulting in a fire.
A Note for Businesses: Your Legal Obligations
UK-based businesses have some specific obligations to fulfil when it comes to disposing of old laptop devices. Under the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2013, you’re prohibited from disposing of IT waste in the usual manner, and you’re expected to use a licensed waste carrier.
Working with a reputable IT recycler will cover all of the above, and they’ll usually be able to provide you with a certificate of recycling or destruction.
Safety is The First Priority
As you can see, safely disposing of laptop batteries isn’t a difficult task once you’re aware of the options that are available to you. The most important things to keep in mind are that you never dispose of a lithium battery in the bin, that you treat a swollen battery with the urgency that it deserves, and that you use one of the many free or low-cost recycling options that are available to you in the UK.
Whether you’re a home user looking to dispose of an old laptop, or a business looking to dispose of many, the above steps will help you to keep the planet, your users, and in the case of businesses, the law, safe.
If you’re unsure where to start, Gigacycle makes the whole process simple, compliant, and stress-free.
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