Guidance reviewed 6 October 2026.
A swollen laptop battery, crushed tool pack or leaking rechargeable device needs a different conversation from routine battery recycling. Condition can change both the handling risks and the collection arrangements.
Stop treating it as normal equipment
London Fire Brigade’s battery guidance says to stop charging a swelling battery, turn off the device and avoid opening the casing or tampering with the equipment. Seek advice from the manufacturer or a competent technician.
Do not puncture a battery, attempt to flatten it or force a pack out of a damaged casing. Staff should not be asked to dismantle suspect equipment as part of an ordinary office clear-out.
If there is smoke or fire
If a battery is smoking or on fire, raise the alarm, leave the area and call 999. London Fire Brigade’s incident advice makes clear that smoking equipment is an emergency. A collection enquiry is not an emergency response service.
Tell the collector about condition before booking
For a non-emergency disposal enquiry, describe the damage and the equipment it came from. Send photographs only if they can be taken safely, without approaching or handling an unstable item. Mention swelling, leakage, impact damage or exposure to water if known.
The Environment Agency’s battery pre-acceptance guidance for permitted facilities includes the battery chemistry and packaging risks in the assessment. This explains why a provider may need extra information about a small damaged pack even when a larger routine load is straightforward.
Keep damaged batteries out of ordinary mixed loads
They require separate assessment and may need individual specialist packaging and a particular transport route. Do not put them into a standard mixed battery drum or post them as an ordinary parcel. Obtain instructions for the actual battery before moving or packaging it.
The correct arrangements depend on chemistry, damage and other circumstances. There is no single packing recipe that makes every damaged lithium battery safe to transport.
Plan for future battery waste
Give staff a way to report suspect batteries early and identify who contacts a competent person. Keep routine recycling and damaged-battery enquiries distinct so the collector knows what is arriving.
Read our business battery recycling service and contact Quality Waste for assessment of a non-emergency collection. Acceptance, packaging and costs must be confirmed for the item.