Live, damaged or unidentified ammunition is not household waste and should never be transported casually. Even an old cartridge can remain capable of firing, so police or a licensed firearms professional must direct the next step.
Quick answer: Do not handle ammunition more than necessary. Secure the area and contact the police on 101 for non-emergency advice, or 999 if there is an immediate danger.
Why the correct route matters
Cartridges contain propellant and primers, while unfamiliar items may be military ordnance or explosive. Household bins, recycling centres and scrap dealers are not equipped to receive them.
What to know
Do not assume corrosion, age or a dent makes a round inert.
Ammunition held with a firearm may be subject to certificate and storage conditions.
Recycling-centre staff should not be surprised with ammunition at the gate.
Anything resembling a grenade, shell or explosive device requires emergency police advice.
What to do
- Stop touching or moving the item.
- Keep other people away from the area.
- Call 101 and describe what you can see without handling it.
- Follow police instructions about secure waiting and collection.
- Use 999 if there is immediate risk, fire or suspicious circumstances.
Practical details that make a difference
When clearing a property, do not open unfamiliar military boxes or separate rounds from packaging. Tell the police about associated firearms or documents.
Never photograph an item by repositioning it. A useful description can be given from a safe distance.
Loose ammunition, cartridges and components should be left undisturbed and kept away from heat, impact and unauthorised handling. Do not post, transport or surrender them without instructions from the police or another authorised recipient. Describe what you can see without manipulating the item, and treat corroded, damaged or unidentified material with particular caution.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not post, burn, soak, dismantle or take ammunition to a tip. Never place it in scrap metal or a police-station doorway.
A better option where possible
Licensed shooting clubs or firearms dealers may advise certificate holders, but police direction should come first for found or inherited ammunition.
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Official guidance
See Police.uk firearms guidance. Collection facilities vary, so confirm the current instruction for your address before acting.
Sources checked: July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can old cartridges go in household rubbish?
No. Contact the police or licensed route for instructions.
Should I take ammunition to a police station?
Do not travel with it unless police explicitly tell you how and where to hand it over.