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AIBU?

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Original poster

To have thrown a bunch of smashed up old mobile phones in the bin

460 replies

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 18:45

Sims removed but otherwise just as they were

I'd been keeping of them to "destroy securely" but they're driving me insane around the house so enough was enough

Will I get digitally kidnapped now? They were really old and shit phones.

OP posts:
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16
ItstoolateformeDaveyourselves · 11/01/2026 23:43

AncientMarina · 11/01/2026 20:49

Shit me, that's not right is it?
Why don't they tell people that? I have literally never seen that written anywhere. Not saying they're not there but I have never seen that ever.

Where I live people are too busy to read peanut packets. We just have one big communal peanut packet outside our building and all help ourselves. It's one of the serious benefits of living where I do. Why isn't there a big sticker on the massive packet?

I cannot believe that most people know peanuts contain peanuts.

Is there legislation about peanuts being in peanuts? Links please.

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Yep! See this warning on the packet of Dry Roasted Peanuts (left over from Xmas). That this contains...

"94% peanuts" . Followed by the Allergy advice that "for allergens, see ingredients in bold"

And of course for good measure continues with "May also contain...and nuts".

I mean who would have thought!!🤔

To have thrown a bunch of smashed up old mobile phones in the bin
Createausername1970 · 11/01/2026 23:38

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:23

Uhhh are we not supposed to put batteries in the bin?

It's too late to fish anything out even if I were inclined to do so

What is going to happen now??

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NO!

Put them in a container out of the way of small kids and pets, and the next time you go to a supermarket you can put them in the battery recycling bin.

It's usually in the same vicinity as the plastic bag recycling bin.

Theroadt · 11/01/2026 23:32

Alltheyellowbirds · 11/01/2026 22:44

She’s already said she won’t,

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Not only has she said she won’t, but effectively rolled her eyeballs at all us old fogeys who take the environment seriously. Bet she chucks trash out of her car window or picks up dog poo then leaves the bag on the ground because she can’t see a dog bin nearby. Her tone indicates she is of that mindset. Seriously annoying (and immature) but what can anyone do? Stubborn.

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 11/01/2026 23:29

nomas · 11/01/2026 18:46

I think the environmental impact is worse than any risk to your data.

Yes this of course. Dispose of them by all means, but at a council facility where the precious metals can be recovered and the dodgy ingredients managed.

Theroadt · 11/01/2026 23:25

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:23

Uhhh are we not supposed to put batteries in the bin?

It's too late to fish anything out even if I were inclined to do so

What is going to happen now??

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You are joking, right? I cannot seriously believe any adult thinks it’s ok to throw batteries in the bin. If you think it’s ok, shame on you.

Grammarnut · 11/01/2026 23:22

I quite like ornamental phones. I used to have a good line in ornamental hoovers but then we bought Henry and they all had to go! Tip to be recycled, if I remember. They take sad little unwanted mobiles too, I believe. I've just remembered that advert with the sad little mobile watching its owner buy a new phone and reject the old one...think I might cry...

NotMeAtAll · 11/01/2026 23:16

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:39

Can honestly tell you I have never heard of this so I am quite confident most other people haven't either

Sorry, binmen, I do respect your art a great deal

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Not everyone is that ignorant.

DeftWasp · 11/01/2026 23:08

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:52

I guess where I live I'm well aware that very few people have the time or energy to be sorting their bins in any particular detail so there will be batteries (and foil??) in general waste and this must be something local authorities adjust for.

Maybe my data will be stolen by the local authority death battery checker as karma.

Edited

I wouldn't bin a battery to be fair, but I don't bother sorting, black sack and in the general waste, life too short!!

DeftWasp · 11/01/2026 22:58

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:33

Well I had zero idea and I've binned a fair few over the years

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Its only Lithium Ion batteries that pose a big fire risk, Alkaline, Ni Cad and Lead Acid rarely cause fire, especially if discharged, but the chemicals in them are not great for the environment.

Jane143 · 11/01/2026 22:55

wineosaurusrex · 11/01/2026 22:46

I had no idea about this. I have never seen a battery recycling place in my life.

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Every main supermarket has them ! Usually on the side as you leave the store

Jane143 · 11/01/2026 22:54

RollOnSunshine · 11/01/2026 22:06

OP Stop digging.

It's evident that you are not very bright. Coming back and attempting to provide witty responses makes you look even dimmer.

🤣🤣🤣

BunnyLake · 11/01/2026 22:53

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:23

Uhhh are we not supposed to put batteries in the bin?

It's too late to fish anything out even if I were inclined to do so

What is going to happen now??

Show quote history

No you’re not. They get recycled.

wineosaurusrex · 11/01/2026 22:46

Kingdomofsleep · 11/01/2026 19:26

Uhhh are we not supposed to put batteries in the bin?

Are you joking, even most small children know this! They are hazardous materials and need to be recycled safely. Recycling points in every medium and large supermarket

I had no idea about this. I have never seen a battery recycling place in my life.

HoarFrosted · 11/01/2026 22:45

Incidentally, if it's data security you're worried about then just whacking the hard drive with a hammer won't suffice, it needs to go through a metal shredder. Realistically you're probably fine if you successively run several different programs that write random characters over the whole drive.

Manxexile · 11/01/2026 22:45

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:51

Why would you not? Where would you put it?

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Your local authority website will have a page detailing what you can and cannot put into different bins. General waste and recycling.

Like this - Your bins | ipswich.gov.uk

They should alos have a sepaprate page showing recycling sites for batteries and other electrical equipment.

Like this - Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling locations | ipswich.gov.uk

But in my experience every supermarket and even corner shop has a special bin where you can rcycle batteries. I believe the law is that if a shop sells batteries (and what shop doesn't sell batteries) they have by law to provide a dedicated recycle bin.

Ask in your nearest local shop

Your bins | ipswich.gov.uk

An easy guide to waste and recycling.

https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/your-bins

DeathBanana · 11/01/2026 22:44

we can put batteries in a clear bag on top of our recycling for collection. Check to see if you can too.

on recycling laptops and tablets and phones there are lots of charities who collect them and would be glad to have them.

Alltheyellowbirds · 11/01/2026 22:44

Nezukokamado · 11/01/2026 21:59

@Pavementworrier I wouldn't worry
Just try to recycle in future - check online if you arent sure what can and cannot be

She’s already said she won’t,

Hollyhobbi · 11/01/2026 22:42

Our waste collection provider sends us a reminder the night before bin collection day to put out the relevant bin for collection and the last few months they have been adding ‘batteries should never be put in your waste bin as they are a serious fire hazard’.

Ownedbykitties · 11/01/2026 22:41

All shops that sell electricals and batteries have to offer recycling even if you didn't buy the item you are recycling from them. It's not onerous in the least.

HoarFrosted · 11/01/2026 22:40

@godmum56 Not on Facebook, but thanks for the thought. When there's enough I'll make a trip to the tip. I just think the council could fairly easily lower the barrier to recycling by offering - and publicising - an occasional kerbside collection. There's a local precedent: the annual pink sack collection for students' junk.

Zov · 11/01/2026 22:35

Theonlywayicanloveyou · 11/01/2026 22:32

This is good - they should all do this as clearly some people don’t know

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Yes for sure. I mean there are battery recycling areas all over the place (in shops) but does every person know it's actually illegal to just chuck them in the rubbish?

I didn't. Blush

I mean I do recycle mine, but I'm a bit of a recycling nerd. I still didn't know you can get fined/in trouble for chucking them in the waste bin though.

And I don't think I'm thick. 😆 No fucking comments you lot! 😂

Mmmm19 · 11/01/2026 22:35

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 19:25

I just don't believe most people recycle this stuff

Maybe this thread should be titled aibu to think nobody recycles batteries

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I’m sure not as many do as could / should but yes people do. There are battery recycling bins at most supermarkets. And small electric recycling for phones etc are fairly easy to find

Zov · 11/01/2026 22:32

Pavementworrier · 11/01/2026 22:02

I have all the laptops I've ever owned and it's a nightmare!!! Opening cupboards and they fall out. One day I'll do something with them but don't feel I can trust a recycling place without deatroying the hard drives myself (somehow)

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I think you could just take the hard drives out and just keep them maybe? Smile