Warning over nine common household items you should never bin (2025)

You should be cautious of what you are throwing away whilst doing your spring clean

With spring now in full swing, many people will be starting their spring cleaning. But whilst you are removing clutter from your home, you should be aware that there are certain items that should never be binned.

Fire safety specialist Jonny Smith from Crusader Fire has now issued a warning to Brits about the common household items that can't be put in your general waste bin, and has advised what to do with them instead.

The warning comes as more than 30,000 refuse-related fire incidents happen annually across the UK, which are often caused by improperly discarding items like batteries and vapes.

Here are the fire safety expert's nine items you should never put in the bin:

Vapes

“With 13.5 million vapes purchased weekly in the UK, 71 percent of vapes are still being improperly discarded," Jonny says. "The easiest way to dispose of vapes is to hand them back to the retailer, where vape disposals are mandatory.

“Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in vapes and electronic devices, are extremely flammable when damaged or crushed.

"These items can cause fires that are not only dangerous but are also difficult to extinguish, as lithium-ion batteries create their oxygen, allowing flames to reignite.

“These batteries have caused over 1,200 fires in the waste industry in the past year alone, stressing the importance of proper disposal.”

Electrical items

“Electrical items, such as phones, laptops, those hidden in devices like toys or toothbrushes, and anything else with a battery, plug, or cable, should not go in your general waste or recycling bins," the fire safety specialist warns.

"Their hidden batteries are highly flammable and can cause dangerous fires and explosions during waste collection or processing.

“Take them to a recycling center or electrical item bring banks, or check with retailers for take-back schemes.”

Batteries in phones

“Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals and chemicals that are serious fire risks when discarded improperly," Jonny says.

"These batteries, including those found in cameras and phones, are known to cause fires in garbage trucks and waste facilities regularly.

"Proper disposal through designated collection points is important for safety.”

Paints

“Oil-based paints might not seem dangerous, but they can release flammable fumes that ignite easily when compacted in a garbage truck," warns Jonny.

"Disposing of leftover paint at hazardous waste facilities or during designated community collection points is the safest approach.”

Household products

“Mixing household chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and paint thinner with other waste materials can trigger dangerous reactions, including fires," the fire safety expert says.

"Products labeled flammable or combustible, such as rubbing alcohol, aerosol cans, nail polish, and hair sprays, can ignite when exposed to heat or mixed with other materials."

He adds: "To make sure they are safely disposed of, cans must be empty before being placed in recycling bins and full or partly full cans should be treated as hazardous waste and taken to a specialist facility.

"By following simple steps like detaching the lid and avoiding piercing or flattening the cans, we can make recycling safer and more effective."

Gas cylinders

"As the weather warms up, items like camping stove canisters and grill gas tanks see more frequent use but can be a serious hazard when improperly discarded," says Jonny.

"Even small cylinders can explode if compacted or exposed to heat. Return them to the original supplier, a designated recycling center, or a local waste management facility that handles hazardous waste.”

Ashes and coals

“Many people underestimate the residual heat in ashes and coals. Even after a day or two, these materials can retain enough heat to ignite nearby waste," warns the fire safety expert.

"Without proper cooling or water dousing, they can ignite waste materials nearby. Always make sure they are fully extinguished before disposal.”

Used cooking oil

“Used cooking oil might seem harmless, but it’s surprisingly flammable and can ignite and cause fires, particularly when mixed with other combustible materials," Jonny says.

"Always cool the oil first, transfer it to a sealed, leak-proof container, and either recycle it at designated collection points, take it to a local recycling center, or check with your local council for safe disposal options through waste collection services.”

Fireworks

"Used fireworks and 'duds' can retain heat for a long time and may ignite later," Jonny says.

"To safely dispose of them, soak them in a bucket of water for at least 15 minutes, drain the excess water on gravel or grass (not in a sink), wrap them in plastic, and then place them in the garbage."