RESIDENTS will now be able to recycle their household batteries after the council launched a new scheme.

There are now dedicated containers for battery collections which are available at the council’s offices and libraries across the area.

Students and teachers will also be able to recycle their batteries as every school will also have a container.

Executive councillor for the environment, Councillor Colin Smith, said: “I am really pleased to be able to announce this development as I know these measures will prove extremely popular and help to further consolidate Bromley’s position at the pinnacle of recycling in the Capital.

“Shopping outlets across the borough are going to have to step up to the mark and play their part too, and the council will be looking to them to do so over coming months.”

Bromley Council has launched the scheme following a Government initiative which requires companies and retail outlets to have ‘take back’ schemes to reduce the number of batteries going to landfill sites.

All batteries placed in the dedicated containers will be collected on a regular basis by the council’s contractor, Veolia.

Each battery is then sorted into chemical type and sent to treatment facilities for recycling.

Batteries contain various metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, manganese and lithium.

These base metals are recovered for reuse, which is a better environmental option than landfill or incineration.

The battery collection scheme supplements the council’s door to door recycling services and the green garden waste disposal initiatives, which during spring, summer and autumn give residents the chance to have their waste composted by the council.

It also complements the on-street recycling banks and the facilities at the reuse and recycling centres in Waldo Road and Churchfields Road, Bromley.

Cllr Smith added: “The council is continuing to look at ways to improve the range of recycling services provided as it makes obvious financial and environmental sense to do so.”

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