Use an authorised electrical-waste route, separate removable batteries where instructed, and deal with personal data before the device leaves your control. A recycling claim should identify the route, not promise a percentage.

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Separate reusable working equipment, data-bearing devices, cooling appliances, lamps, loose batteries and damaged/swollen batteries. Retailer take-back, council sites and specialist collections have different acceptance.

Batteries

Follow device and collection instructions. Tape terminals or isolate batteries where the accepted route requires it. Do not remove embedded batteries by force, and treat damaged lithium batteries as a specialist fire risk.

Data

Back up what you need, sign out, remove SIM/storage cards and use the manufacturer’s secure reset/erase process. For business or sensitive data, use an approved sanitisation/destruction policy and evidence. Physical collection does not prove data erasure.

FAQs

Should removable batteries be separated?

Follow the receiving service’s instructions. Loose and damaged batteries often need a distinct route.

How should data be handled?

Use manufacturer or organisational sanitisation guidance before handover; keep evidence for sensitive devices.

Suggested component

Use an Electrical Disposal Checklist with device, battery, data and route fields.

Related guides

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