Battery recycling scheme launched to prevent fires

It will help prevent fires in waste collection vehicles and at sorting facilities, the council says

A kerbside battery recycling scheme has been launched in an effort to reduce the risk of fires in bin lorries.

Residents across West Berkshire are being urged to leave their used batteries in a clear plastic bag on top of their black wheelie bins on collection day.

They will then be put in specially-designed compartments in the council's new waste collection vehicles.

Putting batteries directly into wheelie bins could cause them to ignite during the waste compaction process, the authority warned.

Common household batteries including D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA (1.5-volt), A23 (12-volt), PP3 (9-volt), CR2032 (3-volt), and LR44 (1.5-volt) can be left out for waste crews.

Batteries found in cars, mopeds, lithium-ion (Li) power tools and vapes are not included.

They would need to be taken to a household recycling centre instead, the council added.