Disposal of hazardous waste

Waste is hazardous when it has properties that might make it harmful to human health or the environment.  Hazardous waste must not be placed in your kerbside collection bins.  You must dispose of your waste responsibly.

Hazardous waste includes:

  • Chemical waste
  • Asbestos
  • Pesticides and chemicals
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Lubricating oils and fuels
  • Home heating oil tanks
  • Paints and thinners
  • Batteries
  • Electrical items

For further information on disposing of hazardous waste visit NI Direct.

Household battery recycling

It is estimated that only 35% of household batteries are currently being recycling!  Classified as hazardous waste, batteries contain materials and metals like cadmium, lead and sulphuric acid that pose environmental and health risks when disposed of incorrectly.  If batteries are crushed, bent or damaged in any way, they can spark fires causing significant damage.

  • How do I dispose of household batteries?

Reduce: Choose products that don’t require replaceable batteries

Reuse / Recharge: if possible, try to choose rechargeable batteries or try to buy appliances that use renewable energy – a wind up torch or a solar powered calculator

  • How to recycle household batteries

Batteries must not be placed in your kerbside collection.  You can bring old household batteries to any of our Recycling Centres in the District and dispose of them in the designated collection facilities.

  • Other battery recycling outlets

Many of the schools throughout the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area collect batteries for recycling as par of the Eco School initiative.  Contact your local school to see if they have a collection point.  From February 2010, shops that sell more than 32kg of batteries per year (approximately 345 x AA 4 packs) must provide a battery collection facility in-store.  This includes (but is not limited to) AA, AAA and 9v batteries, rechargeable batteries and batteries from:

  • Mobile phones
  • Laptops
  • Hearing aids
  • Watches
  • Portable cameras
  • Torches
  • Electric toothbrushes
  • Razors

This means there are more places you can take your old batteries to for recycling including, but not limited to chemists including Superdrug and Boots, supermarkets including ASDA, Tesco and local Spar shops.

If you require a battery recycling box for your business, school or office, please contact the Council Recycling Officer on 0300 303 1777.