BOROUGH EXTENDS KERBSIDE BATTERY COLLECTIONS AND GETS A POSITIVE RESULT

After a successful trial to 13,000 residents, Bedford Borough Council has now finished rolling out the kerbside collection of used household batteries to all of the remaining households in the Borough as part of ongoing efforts to increase recycling rates.

In recent weeks residents across the Borough have received plastic battery bags in which they can recycle their used household batteries. Residents can simply fill their battery bag with used batteries, seal it and leave it on top of the black refuse bin or sacks on the normal day of collection. Battery bags will then be collected and replaced by the collection crews.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "I am delighted we are able to roll out the kerbside battery collection to all homes in Bedford Borough.

"Up to 60% of a battery can be recycled, whereas if they are left to degrade in landfills, batteries can release hazardous materials which damage our local environment.

"We are committed to continuing to increase the amount of rubbish being recycled across Bedford Borough and the best way to make that happen is to work with local residents. By providing these bags completely free of charge and incorporating the collections in the normal collection days, we are making it easy for local residents to recycle more."

Government legislation, introduced in 2009, means the UK is legally required to increase its battery recycling rate to 25% by 2012 and 45% by 2016. The current rate is approximately 3%. The legislation also requires battery producers to cover the costs of recycling used batteries, so the cost to the Council of introducing this scheme is minimal.

For more information about the kerbside battery recycling scheme please contact the Council on 01234 267422 or email: recycling@bedford.gov.uk.

Bedford Borough residents living in blocks of flats can use the battery collection facilities in the Town Hall and Borough Hall reception areas, Bedford's Household Waste and Recycling Centre and all large electrical stores and supermarkets.