Durham County Council’s green teams are urging residents and businesses in the area not to fall foul of new regulations governing the disposal of batteries.
The new rules come into force in the UK this year and affect consumers, as well as retailers and producers of batteries.
By January 1st, 2010, there will be a complete ban on sending vehicle batteries to landfill, so residents will also have to ensure these are recycled. From February 1st, 2010, the bigger retail outlets who sell batteries to customers will have to allow consumers to return their waste batteries free of charge.
All waste batteries will then be treated and recycled properly in accordance with the regulations.
Waste Technical Support Officer, Debbie Hibbitts, says batteries can be a real environment hazard, “Many batteries including rechargeable batteries contain toxic chemicals such as zinc, cadmium and lead. If these batteries are thrown in the rubbish bin, they will go to landfill where they can cause harm to the environment and cause health problems.”
The following batteries will be accepted at the collection points – re-chargeable, nonrechargeable, battery packs, button cells, batteries in appliances and automotive batteries from household, not commercial, vehicles.
For more information on reducing, re-using or recycling waste, or to find out where your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre is to take your waste batteries or electrical equipment to be recycled, contact a Waste Officer on 0191 383 5674 or visit the website www.durham.gov.uk.
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