Did you know? Where to dispose of disposable vapes and batteries
Disposable vapes and batteries thrown in bins have caused multiple fires in bin lorries. According to campaign group Recycle Your Electricals, there were more than 1,200 battery fires in bin lorries and waste sites across the UK in last couple of years. This puts all our amazing refuse collectors at serious risk of getting hurt and could damage nearby property.
Batteries of all shapes and sizes (from button cells found in watches to large power tool batteries) may contain hazardous components and can be a major fire hazard. They also contain heavy metals such as cadmium and zinc that can be toxic to the environment if not disposed of correctly.
In recent years, our crews in West Sussex have responded to several vehicle fires caused by items discarded in waste. These incidents pose serious risks to both our teams, the public and property - and they are entirely preventable with a bit of care about what we throw away.
Where can you safely dispose of vapes and batteries?
They can be if left out on collection day in a separate carrier bag next to your bin. Please do not place one or two batteries out for collection as there is a risk the bag could blow away, and for minimal use of plastic bags, please store batteries/vapes until you have enough to fill a sandwich bag and have it securely closed.
Batteries can also be disposed of at the recycling centres at either Littlehampton, Mill Road or Shripney Road, Bognor Regis, or a collection point in a supermarket, DIY centre and in some local shops.
From Sunday, 1 June 2025, it is illegal for businesses to sell single-use (disposable) vapes under The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024. This applies to online sales and shops, and applies to all single-use vapes, whether they contain nicotine. Read more: Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025 - GOV.UK
For the disposal other electrical items, read more here: Electrical recycling | Arun District Council