We’ve collected two tonnes of batteries over the last 12 months

Stroud District Council is celebrating one year of its household battery and vape recycling service, which was introduced alongside weekly food waste collections in May last year.

In the past 12 months, residents have helped recycle around two tonnes of household batteries and 120kg of vapes and e-cigarettes, keeping hazardous items out of bins and reducing the risk of fires in waste collection vehicles.

Councillor Martin Pearcy, Chair of Environment Committee, said:

“This service has made a real difference over its first year. Recycling two tonnes of batteries and more than 100 kilograms of vapes means fewer fires, safer collections and more materials being recovered for reuse.

“It’s a simple addition to our weekly collections and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part. If you haven’t yet used the service, I’d encourage you to start recycling your batteries and vapes safely.”

Householders can recycle up to 10 small household batteries and five vapes or e-cigarettes each week. Items should be placed in separate clear plastic bags, such as recycled sandwich bags, with the tops folded over or loosely tied to keep them dry. On food waste collection days, the bags should be placed on top of the food waste bin and must not be tied to the bin.

The service accepts common household batteries including AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, button cells and lithium-ion batteries up to D size. For safety, terminals on button cell and lithium-ion batteries should be taped. Batteries larger than D size are not collected and residents should use the Waste Wizard at www.stroud.gov.uk/wastewizard to find alternative recycling options.

Both single-use and reusable vapes, including e-cigarettes, can be collected, with no need to remove the internal batteries.

In very windy or hot weather, residents are advised to wait until the next collection to prevent bags from being blown away or affected by heat. Batteries and vapes cannot be collected from properties with shared or communal bins and residents in these properties should use retailer take-back schemes or the Waste Wizard for guidance.

Batteries and vapes should never be placed in general waste or recycling bins, as they can be crushed and cause fires.

More information is available at Vapes/E-cigs and Batteries

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