Households in Doncaster can now recycle their vapes and batteries through kerbside collections in a bid to tackle a “surge” in battery-related fires.
Residents have been told to put items in a sealed clear bag on top of their blue recycling bin for refuse crews to collect.
Doncaster Council said the move aims to “reduce fires and make recycling easier” for residents following an increase in battery-related fires in collection vehicles and recycling facilities across the UK, driven by a rise in discarded batteries in household waste.
Packaging must be removed and any loose wires or connectors must be taped, said the council. Large batteries - such as car batteries - must still be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) to be disposed of safely, it added.
“Following on from the news earlier in the year that plastic pots, tubs, trays and liquid cartons can now be placed in the blue bin, this is another positive development for waste and recycling collections in our city,” said deputy mayor of Doncaster, Cllr Glyn Jones.
“We know that depositing items such as batteries can often be confusing and, if placed in the bin, dangerous for our crews as they catch fire very easily, so we believe this move will have a dual benefit – help recycling and reduce the danger to refuse crews across the city.”
What residents can now recycle at kerbside:
- Vape and e-cigarettes
- AA/AAA batteries
- Button batteries
- 6V and 9V batteries
- C and D batteries
- Laptop batteries
- Mobile phone batteries
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