Airbag Disposal & Recycling For Businesses
National Recycling provides airbag disposal across the UK for garages, vehicle breakers, fleet operators and manufacturers, collecting deployed and undeployed airbags from your site.
Airbag collections
Airbags Recycling UK
We collect both large and small quantities of airbags, from a single collection of a few modules to regular bulk collections.
We can also collect other automotive waste for businesses, including catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, alternators, gas canisters, oil and chemicals.
Handled with care.
Undeployed airbags.
Live airbag modules still containing their charge, which are hazardous and need specialist handling.Deployed airbags.
Airbags that have already fired, collected for safe disposal or recycling.
From your site to a fresh start
How Airbag Disposal Works
- 01
Tell us what you have.
Use the quote form to give the number of airbags, whether they are deployed or undeployed, and your collection postcode. A photo helps us quote accurately. - 02
Get your quote.
Our team replies with a quote providing clear pricing details. - 03
We collect.
A licensed carrier collects your airbags in compliant packaging and transports them to a specialist facility. - 04
Assessment and processing.
Each airbag is assessed as deployed or undeployed, sorted, documented and sent to a licensed facility for final processing, with traceability throughout. - 05
Receive your documents.
You get hazardous waste consignment notes where required, to show you met your duty of care.
Let’s get it sorted
Book Your Airbag Disposal
Tell us how many airbags you have and whether they are deployed or undeployed, and our team will reply with a quote. Call 0845 366 9306 or request a quote online.
Professional services
Why Undeployed Airbags Need Specialist Disposal
An undeployed airbag contains a pyrotechnic charge. If it is crushed, heated or handled roughly it can go off, which is a serious risk to staff, waste drivers and waste sites. HSE guidance says undeployed airbags must not be put in commercial bins.
Undeployed airbags are treated as hazardous waste. In England and Wales that means the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 apply, with equivalent rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must use a licensed carrier and keep hazardous waste consignment notes for 3 years.
Fully deployed airbags are not generally classed as hazardous, as long as the inflator chemicals are no longer present. They still need to go through a proper waste route under your duty of care, set out in section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
A partner you can depend on
Why Choose National Recycling for Airbag Disposal
UK-wide coverage.
Our network of haulage partners collects from garages, breakers and depots across the country.Fully compliant.
We use verified waste carriers and licensed recycling facilities, in line with UK regulations.Airbag recycling where possible.
We recycle what can be recovered safely and dispose of the rest in a compliant way.All your automotive waste.
Combine airbags with catalytic converters, DPFs, oil and other workshop waste in one collection.Fast quotes.
Our team replies quickly to every enquiry, providing a fast turnaround for collections.One-off or regular.
Book a single clearance or a scheduled collection, with one supplier for every location.
Find the right service
Related Services
How do you dispose of airbags safely?
Store airbags securely away from heat and general waste, then arrange collection through a licensed carrier. Undeployed airbags are hazardous because of their pyrotechnic charge, so they must go to a specialist facility. National Recycling collects airbags from businesses across the UK and provides consignment notes where required.
Can airbags go in a commercial bin?
No. HSE guidance says undeployed airbags must not be put in commercial bins, because they contain a charge that can go off if crushed or heated. Deployed airbags should also go through a proper waste route. Arrange a collection with a licensed carrier so the airbags reach a suitable facility.
Are deployed airbags hazardous waste?
Fully deployed airbags are not generally classed as hazardous waste, provided the inflator chemicals are no longer present. Undeployed airbags are hazardous. When we collect, each airbag is assessed as deployed or undeployed and handled accordingly, so you do not need to separate them perfectly before collection.
Can airbags be recycled?
Airbags can be partly recycled once they have been made safe at a specialist facility. Undeployed airbags must always be made safe by specialists first. We recycle what can be recovered safely and dispose of the rest in a compliant way, so you have a clear record of where your waste went.
Is there a minimum quantity for airbag disposal?
No fixed minimum applies. We collect both large and small quantities of airbags, from a handful of modules at a local garage to regular bulk collections for manufacturers and breakers. Tell us how many you have when you request a quote and our team will reply with a quote.
What paperwork will I receive?
You receive the paperwork that shows your airbags were handled legally. For undeployed airbags, that includes hazardous waste consignment notes. In England and Wales you must keep these for 3 years. Our process keeps every airbag traceable from collection to final processing.