Battery recycling

Recycling batteries is so important because they are full of heavy metals. Generally speaking using rechargeable batteries is better for the environment since you can recharge them many times, especially the lithium batteries.

In the end though all batteries go past their use-by date and we must consider how to dispose of them. The starting point of batteries, especially ones we use in the house, is that they are so small. We think small, insignificant, chuck 'em in the bin and forget about it. The problem with that approach is that batteries if dumped in landfill are about as bad as it gets. All those heavy metals...

It is really important to work out a way to recycling batteries properly - and that starts in the home. What I would recommend is using an old plastic bottle with a wide mouth, perhaps the kind that you get fresh squeezed fruit juices in. Put that in a safe place, say near your kitchen and simply pop any old batteries therein.

The batteries that can be recycled include AAA , AA , C ,and D size batteries as well as button, mobile phone , laptop batteries and rechargeable batteries.

When the bottle is nearly full then you can pop to your local recycling point and empty your bottle. So where are the battery recycling points? In Kidlington we have one at Sainsbury's, another in the Tesco shopping car park. For a complete list check out the relevant WRAP page.