How-to · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Lithium batteries in old IT: safe storage and disposal for offices
Why batteries need care
Lithium-ion batteries are in almost every laptop, phone, tablet, wireless headset and power bank. When they are damaged, crushed, overheated or short-circuited they can go into thermal runaway, which produces intense heat, toxic gases and fire that is very hard to put out. Fire services and waste operators across the UK report a steady rise in fires caused by batteries in the wrong place.
A cupboard full of old laptops waiting for collection is a fire load you have created yourself, so it is worth handling it properly.
Lithium battery fires can also reignite hours after they appear to be out, which is why damaged devices need isolating rather than simply being moved to another shelf.
Battery types in a typical office
| Battery | Where you find it | Usually classed as |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium-ion | Laptops, phones, tablets, power banks | Non-hazardous waste, but a fire risk |
| Lithium metal coin cells | Motherboards, key fobs, small devices | Non-hazardous waste, fire risk if short-circuited |
| Sealed lead-acid | UPS units, alarm panels, emergency lighting | Hazardous waste |
| Nickel-cadmium | Older cordless phones and tools | Hazardous waste |
Classification affects the paperwork. Hazardous batteries need a hazardous waste consignment note in England and Wales, rather than an ordinary transfer note.
How to store old devices before collection
- Keep devices in a cool, dry room away from heaters, direct sun and flammable stock
- Use metal cages, steel bins or non-combustible containers rather than cardboard boxes stacked high
- Do not crush, stack heavily or pile devices loosely
- Tape the terminals of loose batteries, or put each in its own clear bag
- Keep the store close to an exit and away from escape routes
- Have a suitable extinguisher nearby and include the store in your fire risk assessment
- Book collections regularly so stock does not build up for months
Dealing with swollen or damaged batteries
A laptop with a lifted keyboard, a phone with a bulging back or a power bank that is hot or hissing has a damaged battery. Do not charge it, press on it or try to remove the battery yourself.
- Switch the device off and unplug it
- Move it outside or to a non-combustible area if it is safe to do so
- Place it in a metal container with a layer of dry sand, or a battery fire bag
- Keep it separate from other equipment
- Tell your disposal provider in advance so it can be packaged correctly for transport
Damaged lithium batteries have special packaging rules for transport by road, so they should not just be thrown in with the rest of a collection.
UPS units and server room batteries
UPS batteries are usually sealed lead-acid and are heavy. A small desk UPS may hold a few kilograms of batteries, while a rack UPS or battery cabinet can run to hundreds of kilograms. Lead-acid batteries are hazardous waste because of the lead and acid, and they must not be mixed in with general WEEE.
Lead-acid batteries do have scrap value, so they are widely recycled. Make sure your provider lists them separately on the collection paperwork.
If you are replacing UPS batteries rather than the whole unit, ask the supplier fitting the new batteries whether they take the old ones away, as many do.
Building batteries into your disposal routine
The safest approach is to stop old devices and batteries piling up in the first place. A simple routine keeps the fire load low and makes collections straightforward.
- Keep one designated, labelled store for retired devices and batteries
- Log items as they go in, with serial numbers for data-bearing devices
- Check the store monthly for swollen or damaged items
- Book collections every few months, or when the store reaches a set level
- Tell the provider in advance about UPS batteries, damaged items and large quantities of loose cells
- Keep hazardous battery paperwork separately from ordinary transfer notes
Including the store in your fire risk assessment, and telling staff where it is and what goes in it, also helps stop batteries being left in desk drawers or general waste.
Mistakes to avoid
- Putting batteries or small devices in general waste or mixed recycling bins
- Leaving damaged devices in a desk drawer or on a shelf with other kit
- Storing hundreds of laptops in a basement for years
- Letting staff remove batteries from devices themselves
- Recording UPS batteries as ordinary WEEE on a transfer note
Frequently asked questions
Should batteries be removed from laptops before collection?
Usually not. Leaving the battery in the laptop protects it from damage and short circuits, and most treatment sites remove them safely during processing. Removing batteries from modern laptops often means opening the case, which risks puncturing the cell. The exception is a swollen or damaged battery, which should be flagged to your provider so it can be packed separately.
Are lithium-ion batteries hazardous waste?
Lithium-ion batteries are generally classed as non-hazardous waste in the waste catalogue, unlike lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries. That does not make them safe. They are one of the main causes of fires at waste sites and in collection vehicles, so they still need careful storage, protection of the terminals, suitable packaging and transport by a registered carrier.
Can we put old phones and power banks in the office WEEE bin?
Only if the bin is designed for batteries and small electricals and is emptied by a registered collector. Phones also hold data, so they should go through your data destruction process first. Power banks and loose batteries should be kept separate, with terminals taped, rather than mixed with other items.
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