Battery collections launched across Harlow

The service, which is being run in partnership with local environment group ECCO and the Waste and Resources Action Programme, was originally launched for 6,000 households in April 2006 as part of WRAP's research into the most effective way of collecting household batteries in the UK (see letsrecycle.com story).

Since the trials started, Harlow has diverted more than 40,400 batteries – or over one tonne – have been diverted form landfill and recycled by WRAP's contractor, Darlaston-based G&P – which WRAP has branded a “huge success.”

Councillor Eleanor Macy, Harlow council's chair of the environment and community committee, said: “This is a very encouraging development to an important pilot scheme. I would like to thank Harlow residents for their battery recycling effort, it's fantastic that even more people can now participate. I'm delighted that this scheme will enable more items to be recycle by residents rather than sent to landfill.”

Collections

Under Harlow's extended battery recycling service, kerbside collections will be offered to all properties with ground floor front doors across the Harlow district and will see residents receiving a small battery recycling box, which they can put out on the same day as a bag for textile waste. Meanwhile, residents in flat blocks will be able to take their batteries to the household waste recycling centre.

Batteries accepted by both schemes range from single use AA batteries to laptop and mobile phone rechargeable batteries. The scheme will be reviewed in March 2008.

Chris Davey, manager of local authority relations at WRAP, said: “It is quick and easy to add batteries to your recycling routine and every battery counts. It is great to see that the residents of Harlow have made battery recycling a regular habit, and I'm sure this enthusiasm will be adopted by many more residents when the scheme extends.”

Trials

The Harlow trial is one of 13 kerbside battery collections being trialled by WRAP in 13 local authority areas across the UK. Retail take-back schemes, community drop-off points and postal trials are also being tested.

The trials aim to help the UK to meet targets set by the Battery Directive (see letsrecycle.com story) which require 25% of waste portable batteries to be collected by 2012.