Hazardous

Sparklers stay very hot after they go out

Put them in water or sand straight away.

Used sparklers

Also called: used sparkler, burnt sparkler, burnt sparklers, spent sparkler, finished sparkler, sparkler wire

General waste

National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.

Your council's answer

The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.

How to prepare it

  1. As soon as it goes out, put it hot end down in a bucket of water or sand, and never pick it up bare-handed
  2. Leave them to soak overnight, then bag them
  3. Put the soaked, cold sparklers in general waste
  4. They can't be recycled: the wire is coated in firework chemicals

National rules

The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.

England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

General waste

This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.

This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste bin.

Wales

General waste

This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.

This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste; check if your council also collects nappies and incontinence pads separately.

Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source

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