Lithium Batteries Disposal Services
Lithium batteries power everything from electric vehicles to data centres. But when they reach the end of their life, they become a serious fire and environmental hazard. Safe and compliant lithium batteries disposal is not just good practice. It’s a legal requirement.
At Cawleys, we specialise in the safe collection, transport, and recycling of all types of lithium batteries. With over 75 years in waste management, a strong heritage in hazardous materials, and a dedicated lithium battery recycling arm, we offer a fully certified, end-to-end lithium battery disposal solution that keeps your organisation compliant and sustainable.
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Why Choose Cawleys Lithium Battery Disposal Services?
Cawleys brings decades of hazardous waste expertise and full regulatory accreditation to every job, ensuring your batteries are handled, transported, and recycled safely from start to finish. Here’s what sets our service apart.
Safe handling
Without proper disposal, lithium batteries pose unique risks, from fire hazards to chemical leakage. Our trained specialists handle these materials with strict safety controls during collection, transport, and processing. Whether it’s a single damaged cell or an entire EV pack, our team uses approved containment and suppression systems to prevent incidents.
Certified and compliant
Cawleys is fully licenced under UK environmental and hazardous waste regulations, including ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road). We manage every stage of disposal in line with Environment Agency guidance and industry best practice. This ensures full legal compliance and peace of mind for your business.
End-to-end traceability
Every consignment is tracked through a full audit trail, from collection to final recycling. You’ll receive waste consignment notes, ADR documentation, and recycling certificates for your compliance and ESG reporting.
High recycling rates
We partner with accredited recycling facilities across the UK and Europe to recover valuable elements such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and aluminium. Not only does this reduce waste going to landfills, but it also supports a sustainable supply chain for future battery production.
Tailored solutions
Cawleys designs bespoke services for every sector. From corporate offices and data centres to EV fleets, manufacturers, R&D labs, and retailers, we tailor logistics, storage, and documentation to your operational needs and compliance requirements.
Our Lithium Battery Management Services
Cawleys offers a complete suite of lithium ion batteries disposal and management solutions. Whatever your setup, we have the right service to keep you compliant and protected.
Lithium Battery Recycling
Our dedicated Lithium Battery Recycling Solutions division safely dismantles, discharges, and processes all types of lithium-ion batteries. Working within a state-of-the-art recycling workshop, our qualified technicians extract reusable cells and recover raw materials for reintroduction into the production cycle. This closed-loop approach supports your sustainability goals and helps reduce the demand for virgin resources.
Lithium Battery ADR Transportation
Transporting lithium batteries, especially damaged or end-of-life units, requires strict adherence to ADR dangerous goods regulations. Our ADR-certified fleet of specialist vehicles is purpose-built for safe movement between customer sites and licenced recycling facilities. Each journey is managed by trained drivers and tracked for full visibility.
Lithium Battery Reuse and Second Life
At Cawleys, we support second-life solutions for used lithium batteries, extending their value before recycling. When EV batteries drop below 70% SOH, they may no longer suit vehicles but remain ideal for lower-demand uses like power supplies. In line with this, we offer compliant, fully licensed second-life options for most manufacturer-made batteries.
Lithium Battery ADR Packaging
We supply and manage ADR-approved containers and storage boxes for lithium batteries of all sizes and chemistries. These include fire-retardant, explosion-tested containers suitable for storage, transit, and segregation of mixed battery types. Boxes are available for hire or purchase, ensuring flexibility for one-off collections or ongoing disposal programmes.
Lithium Battery Consultancy
Not sure where to start? Our lithium battery consultancy team provides expert advice on classification, storage, handling, and disposal strategies. We’ll assess your facility, advise on legal compliance, and design a safe disposal plan that fits your operational needs. Consultancy can be delivered online, by phone, or on-site across the UK.
How Our Lithium Battery Disposal Service Works
We make the disposal of lithium batteries simple, safe, and fully traceable. Our structured approach covers every stage, from initial assessment through certified recycling and reporting, so you know exactly where your batteries go and how they’re handled. Here’s how the service works in practice.
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Assessment
We begin with a full evaluation of your battery inventory (type, chemistry, size, volume, and current storage conditions). This ensures we apply the correct ADR classifications and packaging requirements.
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Safe packaging
Cawleys supplies compliant containers and offers guidance on segregation and safe storage before collection. We help you prepare batteries correctly to minimise risk and ensure full compliance with transport regulations.
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Scheduled collection
Our ADR-trained drivers collect your lithium batteries using fully equipped vehicles designed for hazardous waste. We operate flexible scheduling for both regular and one-off collections across the UK.
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Certified processing
Collected batteries are delivered to licensed recycling facilities for safe discharge, dismantling, and material recovery. Our recycling partners extract valuable metals and components, ensuring maximum environmental benefit.
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Reporting
As part of our lithium-ion batteries disposal services, we’ll provide you with a full suite of documentation, including waste transfer notes, recycling certificates, and ESG data reports. This gives you transparent proof of compliance and sustainability performance.
FAQs
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Lithium batteries are classified as hazardous waste. They contain materials that can catch fire, leak toxic chemicals, or contaminate the environment if not handled properly. Disposal of lithium ion batteries through general waste or recycling bins is illegal under UK hazardous waste regulations.
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Yes. All lithium-based batteries, including lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, are treated as hazardous waste when disposed of. Even small consumer cells must be handled and transported safely under ADR and Environment Agency guidelines.
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Absolutely. We are fully equipped to handle damaged, swollen, or defective lithium batteries, including those showing signs of thermal runaway risk. Our team uses fireproof containment boxes and temperature monitoring during transport to prevent incidents.
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Collection times vary depending on volume and location. Nevertheless, we can arrange collection within a few working days in most cases. For urgent or high-risk situations, we offer rapid-response hazardous waste collection.
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Yes. We work with retailers, manufacturers, and vehicle dealerships to create compliant battery take-back and recycling schemes. We’ll advise on logistics, labelling, packaging, and documentation to help your business meet its producer responsibility obligations.
Contact Us
Don’t risk non-compliance or safety incidents by trusting the specialists. With Cawleys, you get certified expertise, end-to-end traceability, and a commitment to recycling that protects both your business and the planet. Get in touch with our team today to arrange a consultation or collection.
