It will soon be easier than ever to safely dispose of batteries and small electrical items such as irons, hairdryers and alarm clocks.
From Monday 7 April 2025, batteries and small items of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) will be collected by bin collection crews as they do their usual rounds.
Electrical items and batteries should never be put into household rubbish or recycling bins as they can cause contamination or a fire.
According to the National Fire Chiefs Council, battery fires in bins and at waste sites is at an all-time high and a survey of councils across the UK has found that 94% said that fires caused by batteries in domestic waste were an increasing challenge.
The new service is easy and convenient to use. Simply remove any batteries from your broken small electrical item and place it on top of your bin, and put batteries in a plastic bag also on top of the bin, on either recycling or waste collection day.
The bin collection crew will then put them in a separate cage on the collection vehicle and take them for recycling.
Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “I am delighted that we are able to provide this enhanced service to all residents across the county.
“Small electric items and batteries present a huge challenge if they are placed in household bins as they cause contamination and increase the risk of fire in collection vehicles or at waste sites.
“I hope all residents get behind this new service to ensure that even more of our waste is recycled in the right way.”
