Battery Waste Statistics for 2026

In this article, we explore important battery waste statistics for 2026 and explain how businesses can improve battery recycling and manage waste responsibly.

Up to 95% of battery components can be recycled

When batteries are recycled properly, up to 95% of their components can be used to produce new batteries or other materials. This highlights the importance of effective recycling processes in reducing waste and preserving valuable resources.

The exact recovery rate depends on the battery chemistry, recycling technology and materials being recovered. Businesses should therefore consider the type of battery waste they generate and use an appropriate recycling route.

The global battery recycling market is also expected to grow as demand increases for electric vehicles, energy storage and battery materials. This growth highlights the importance of developing effective recycling systems to manage increasing volumes of waste batteries.

Around 20,000 batteries end up in landfill sites across the UK every year

Around 20,000 batteries are reported to end up in landfill sites across the UK every year. This figure should be treated as an estimate until a current authoritative source can be confirmed.

Improper battery disposal can create environmental and safety risks. Battery materials may release harmful substances if they are damaged or improperly managed, while lithium-ion batteries can cause fires when placed in general waste or recycling collections that are not designed to handle them.

Businesses should keep waste batteries separate from general waste and arrange collection through an appropriate recycling provider. Damaged, defective or potentially hazardous batteries may require additional handling and packaging precautions.

The UK collected more than 20,000 tonnes of waste portable batteries in 2025

According to the Environment Agency’s final 2025 UK Portable Batteries Data Summary, 20,210.226 tonnes of waste portable batteries were collected in the UK during 2025 and delivered for treatment.

The report recorded a UK portable battery collection rate of 45.13%, exceeding the 45% collection target for that compliance period. The figures were published on 30 June 2026.

Source: Environment Agency – 2025 UK Portable Batteries Data Summary.

These figures relate to portable batteries and should not be interpreted as the total amount of automotive and industrial battery waste collected in the UK. Portable batteries include those commonly used in household and workplace equipment, such as remote controls, cameras and other electronic devices.

Although the collection rate has reached the national target, businesses and consumers still have an important role to play in preventing batteries from entering general waste streams. Separate collection helps ensure that batteries can be directed to suitable treatment and recycling facilities.

The volume of battery materials available for recycling worldwide is forecast to reach 1.4 million tons by 2030

The volume of battery materials available for recycling worldwide has been forecast to reach 1.4 million tons by 2030. This projection highlights the potential growth in battery recycling as more batteries reach the end of their useful lives.

The expansion of electric vehicle use and energy storage systems is expected to increase the importance of recovering valuable materials from spent batteries. Effective collection, sorting and processing infrastructure will be needed to manage these materials safely and efficiently.

Forecasts are not guaranteed outcomes, and the volume of material available for recycling will depend on battery production, product lifetimes, collection rates and recycling capacity.                                     

We Collect and Recycle Batteries for Businesses

We collect a range of batteries, including lithium-ion, lead-acid, NiMH and alkaline batteries used in various products and applications. This includes batteries associated with electric vehicles and solar energy systems.

All battery waste we collect is directed towards appropriate recycling or recovery routes, supporting resource recovery and a more circular approach to materials management.

Please contact our waste management team with details of the battery types and quantities you need collected, along with your contact details. Our team will then be in touch to discuss suitable collection arrangements and help ensure your battery waste is managed safely and responsibly.