Damaged or swollen battery?
Here's how to handle it safely — and recycle it the right way in Oman. A quick SkyOrbits guide for camera, drone, and device batteries.
Is your battery still safe? Stop and check.
Stop using a lithium battery immediately if you notice any of these:
Swelling or puffing
The casing looks bloated or won't sit flat.
Heat
It feels hot even when idle or not charging.
Leaking or odd smell
Fluid, hissing, or a sweet chemical smell.
Cracks or dents
Visible damage from a drop or impact.
Won't hold charge
Drains abnormally fast or dies quickly.
Old or recalled
Past its life, or under a safety recall.
Safe handling
Simple steps that protect you and your home until the battery reaches a recycler.
Do this now
- Stop charging and stop using it immediately.
- Move it to a cool, dry, open spot away from anything flammable.
- Put it in a fireproof container — a metal tin, a sand-filled box, or a LiPo-safe bag.
- Tape over the terminals and bag each battery separately.
- Keep it away from metal, heat, and direct sun.
- Recycle it within a few months — don't store damaged batteries long-term.
Never do this
- Don't throw batteries in the household trash or normal recycling bin.
- Don't puncture, crush, cut, or open a battery.
- Don't try to drain or discharge a swollen battery yourself.
- Don't charge a swollen or damaged battery.
- Don't leave it loose with keys, coins, or other batteries.
Where to recycle in Oman
Take used and damaged lithium batteries to a licensed e-waste or battery recycler — never a normal bin. These are the right channels in Oman:
be'ah
Oman's national environmental services company, running e-waste and battery recycling programs across the Sultanate. Contact them for your nearest approved drop-off point.
Visit beah.omRecyclon
A lithium-ion battery recycler in the Ma'abilah Industrial Area, Muscat — the right place for camera, drone, and power-bank packs.
Arab Lead
For car, backup-power, and other lead-acid batteries (not lithium).
Not sure where to go? Ask SkyOrbits.
Bring your question to us and we'll point you to the nearest licensed recycler that accepts your battery type — including damaged ones. In-store drop-off is coming soon.
Frequently asked
Can I post a damaged battery by courier or shipping?
No. Damaged or swollen lithium batteries are forbidden on aircraft and unsafe to ship. Hand them to a local recycler in person.
Is a slightly swollen battery still usable?
No. Once a battery swells, retire it — the fire risk isn't worth it.
What about power banks and phone batteries?
Same rules apply — they're lithium too. Recycle them, never bin them.
Do you take batteries you didn't sell?
We're happy to guide anyone to safe recycling, whatever the brand or where you bought it.
Safety first — then recycle right.
Got a battery you're unsure about? We're a message away.