Battery recycling: shop boxes, tips and car batteries

Shops that sell 32kg or more of batteries a year must have a free collection box for used ones. GOV.UK says that is about one pack of 4 AA batteries a day.

• UK

Key facts

• Recycle Now says all household batteries can be recycled, including button batteries from watches.
• Battery packs from laptops, phones, power tools and remote controls can be recycled too.
• Shops with a collection box must take any battery you can carry easily, not just the types they sell.
• Car batteries go to designated collection points. Shops do not have to take them.
• Some councils collect batteries from home, eg in a clear bag tied to the recycling bin. Check with your council first.
• Recycle Your Electricals says batteries thrown in a bin can be crushed and start fires in bin lorries.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Based on Recycle Now's own pages.

Accepted items

• Household batteries, eg AA and AAA
• Button batteries
• Laptop and phone battery packs
• Power tool batteries

Restrictions

• Car batteries need a designated collection point.

Related item guides

• Household batteries
• Car batteries

Other kinds of place

• Battery recycling near you: where to recycle batteries

Schemes and collection services

• Recycle Now locator
• Boots electrical recycling