⚠️ Hazardous items at home: never in the bin

These items cause fires in bin lorries, pollute rivers or hurt people. Each needs its own route.

Never in the garden bin, compost or tip. It must go to a suitable site via a registered carrier.

Spreads from tiny fragments.

Battery collection point in shops or at recycling centres. Never in any household bin.

Batteries in bins cause fires in bin lorries and at waste sites.

Contains a lithium battery. Use a shop take-back or electrical/battery recycling point.

Fire risk in bins.

Ask the retailer or manufacturer, or your recycling centre. Never in a bin.

Damaged lithium batteries can catch fire.

Reuse schemes for usable paint. Ask your recycling centre about liquid paint.

Keep in original containers. Ask your recycling centre or council.

Return to the supplier or a stockist. Never in a bin or skip.

Can explode if crushed or heated.

Do not break or remove it yourself. Get specialist advice first.

Dangerous if disturbed.

Recycling centre oil bank. Never down a drain.

Recycling centre or retailer take-back.

Use a sharps bin. Ask your pharmacy, GP or council about returning it.

Never loose in a bin.

Ask your recycling centre or the supplier. Do not put it in a bin.

Rules vary between councils. This is general guidance: always check your own council’s website.

More learn

What the common symbols on packaging and products mean, from the recycling arrows to the crossed-out wheelie bin.

Common beliefs about rubbish, recycling and collectors that can cost you money or get you a fine.

Plain-English meanings of waste terms: duty of care, waste carrier, transfer note, HWRC, controlled waste, POPs and more.