Let’s Recycle! - Batteries Waste collections

Rechargeable batteries are particularly flammable. The council’s refuse teams have occasionally experienced fires in the back of the refuse carts during their rounds and have had to act quickly to prevent further danger. The source of the fire has been traced back to lithium batteries that have burst into flames. This can happen at relatively low temperatures.

Batteries should never be thrown away with general rubbish. It is important that rechargeable lithium, lithium ion and zinc-air batteries are disposed of correctly at recycling points.

These batteries are typically found in household items such as cameras, mobile phones and laptops. Even traditional batteries such as AA’s or AAA’s contain some hazardous chemicals that are not suitable for general waste.

Batteries that do make their way to landfill sites through general waste collection rot away over time. Chemicals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium and even mercury may leak into the ground, causing soil and water pollution.

Household batteries can be recycled at Libraries and Ilkeston Household Waste Recycling Centre. Retailers that sell batteries also provide recycling bins.

Recycled batteries are first sorted into different types, as each type is recycled differently. Lead acid batteries (used for car batteries) and mercury button cell batteries (flat, round, silver batteries found in watches) are fully recycled in the UK. Lithium and alkaline batteries (AA, AAA and 9v batteries) are part-recycled in the UK. They are then sent to plants abroad for the rest of the process.

There are two remaining community household waste collections still to take place in the borough.

The community household waste collections are free and for small bulky waste items only. All collections take place on Saturdays between 8am and 11.30am.

The first will be on 11 March at Village Hall, Park Avenue, Stanley Village and at Kirk Hallam Shops, Kirk Hallam.

The final collection will take place on 25 March at West Park Recycling Centre, Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton.

Garden waste collections have resumed in the borough meaning that brown bins can no longer be used for dry mixed recycling.