Where do Rechargeable batteries (NiMH, NiCd) go?

Nickel-metal-hydride cells are relatively benign but full of recoverable nickel; nickel-cadmium cells are not benign at all, because cadmium is a cumulative toxin and its sale in consumer cells has been restricted in the EU and UK for years. Both go through the same shop collection boxes as single-use batteries. A rechargeable pack from a drill or a vacuum should go in whole rather than being split into cells, since separating a welded pack risks shorting it. As with every battery, the collection point is the route regardless of what your kerbside scheme takes. Shop collection boxes are the standard route in every area, and your local council list will confirm the kerbside bin is not.

How to prepare it

1. Hand power-tool packs over whole rather than dismantling them.
2. Tape terminals on loose cells.

What not to do

• Never bin NiCd cells — cadmium leaches and it is classified as hazardous waste.
• Never cut open a battery pack to salvage cells unless you know what you are doing; a shorted cell vents hot.

Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.

Other things that go to shop or manufacturer take-back

• Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) Battery collection point — a supermarket or DIY store box, or the household waste centre. Never the kerbside bin.
• Lithium-ion batteries Battery or WEEE collection point only. A lithium cell in a bin lorry is a fire, not a littering problem.
• Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes A vape shop or supermarket take-back bin. It is electrical waste with a lithium cell inside, not litter.
• Mobile phones Wipe it, then trade it in, donate it or hand it to an electricals take-back point.
• Disposable coffee cups Not the kerbside bin. Take them to a shop cup collection point, or general waste — the lid and sleeve recycle separately.
• Button and coin cells Battery collection point. Tape them first — and keep them away from small children until they go.
• Coffee pods and capsules Brand take-back scheme if aluminium; general waste for most plastic pods. Compostable ones need a food waste collection.
• Laptops and computers Wipe the drive, then donate, trade in or take it to WEEE recycling. The battery makes binning it a fire risk.
• Printer cartridges Manufacturer freepost return or a shop collection box. Not the kerbside bin.
• Tyres Tyre fitter or household waste centre, usually for a small fee. They are banned from landfill in the UK and EU.
• Power banks and portable chargers Small electricals collection or a battery take-back point. It is a lithium cell in a plastic shell.
• Propane and patio gas cylinders Back to the supplier or exchange point. Refillable cylinders are almost never yours to scrap.
• Bubble wrap and postal air pillows Soft plastics collection at a supermarket, or reuse it. Not the kerbside bin.
• Toys and gadgets with batteries inside Take the batteries out and deal with them separately; the toy then goes in small electricals. Sealed ones go in whole.