Electricals and batteries

Electrical and electronic items are anything with wires, plugs or that use batteries.

Weekly collection

To recycle your small electrical items put them into a standard size plastic carrier bag, tied up so that they keep dry. Put batteries in a separate bag, such as a clear plastic sandwich bag. Leave them next to your rubbish or recycling bin on your collection day. Please don’t put them in a black bin bag, in your rubbish or recycling bins as they are hazardous.

If you live in a flat your service may be different.


What can I recycle?

Electrical and electronic items are anything with wires, plugs, or that use batteries. Find out if you can recycle your electrical and electronic items at home, or where to take them with the recycling search tool.

Yes please

  • Headphones
  • E-cigarette tips
  • Electrical toys including games consoles
  • Mobile phones
  • Household appliances like irons, hairdryers, toasters, radios
  • Smoke detectors and monitors
  • Batteries (place in a separate bag)

No thanks

  • Items too big to fit in a small plastic carrier bag
  • Low energy light bulbs
  • Car batteries

These can be taken to community recycling centres.

For full information on opening dates and times, waste types accepted at each site, and reuse shops please check Surrey County Council’s website. Alternatively call 03456 009 009.

You can also take household batteries back to shops such as supermarkets and electrical retailers that have battery recycling bins.


What if I have larger items or more than one bag to recycle?

There is limited space on the collection vehicles so we can only pick up one bag at a time.

If you’ve had a clear-out, have large electrical appliances or car batteries to dispose of you can usually take them to a community recycling centre for free instead.