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Environment
New push to recycle batteries
Release date: Feb 1, 2010
Battery recycling now easier than ever...
People will now be able to recycle old batteries in thousands of shops across the country.
A new European law has come into force to help encourage people to recycle their used batteries. Retailers who sell more than one pack of batteries a day, will now have to provide collection bins for battery recycling. This means there will be lots more places where you can take your old batteries for recycling, such as your local supermarket and DIY stores. You'll also find collection points in many high street shops, as well as some town halls, libraries and schools.
The move aims to cut the amount of batteries going to landfill, where they can leak harmful chemicals into the soil, and to save carbon emissions by reducing the need for using new materials. An estimated 30,000 tonnes of portable batteries go on to the market in the UK each year, of which 97 per cent end up in landfill when they are finished with.
Recycling at the council offices
If you are paying a visit to the council offices, we have a battery collection box in reception where you can drop off your used batteries for recycling. We also have recycling banks in the car park that take mixed recycling (same as your household collection) and for old textiles, shoes, books.
What else can I do?
- Use rechargeable batteries wherever possible - you can even buy a solar powered recharger!
- Plug electrical equipment into the mains electricity.
- Try to buy appliances that use renewable energy: a wind-up radio or torch, dynamo bicycle lights or a solar powered calculator.
Visit the DirectGov website to find out more on battery recycling.
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