Doncaster launches new kerbside collection for vapes and household batteries
From this week, households can leave vapes, e-cigarettes and most small batteries in a sealed clear bag on top of their blue recycling bin. Collection crews will collect them as part of their normal round.
The change follows a surge in battery-related fires in collection vehicles and recycling facilities across the UK, driven by the rise in discarded batteries in household waste. One of our local crews experienced a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery in the back of their lorry this month.
Doncaster is now one of the councils taking early action to tackle the issue at source.
What residents can now recycle at kerbside:
- AA/AAA batteries
- Button batteries
- 6V and 9V batteries
- C and D batteries
- Laptop batteries
- Mobile phone batteries
- Vape and e-cigarettes
Packaging must be removed, and any loose wires or connectors taped. Large batteries (such as car batteries) must still be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) to be disposed of safely.
Deputy Mayor of Doncaster, Cllr Glyn Jones, said: “Following on from the news earlier in the year that plastic pots, tubs, trays and liquid cartons can now be placed in the blue bin, this is another positive development for waste and recycling collections in our city.
“We know that depositing items such as batteries can often be confusing and, if placed in the bin, dangerous for our crews as they catch fire very easily, so we believe this move will have a dual benefit – help recycling and reduce the danger to refuse crews across the city.”
Shane Atkins, Contract General Manager at SUEZ, said: “We are delighted to be working with Doncaster Council to make battery recycling even easier for residents. Putting batteries in household bins can cause fires in collection vehicles and at recycling facilities, putting crews and the public at risk. By collecting them separately at the kerbside, we can make sure batteries are recycled properly and safely.”
Further details can be found on the 2026 bin collection calendar which will be posted to all Doncaster households throughout November.