People living in the St Edmundsbury have gone the extra mile to help safeguard the environment by collecting four tonnes of batteries for recycling in just three months.
The unique recycling trial was launched by St Edmundsbury Borough Council in early August and has already seen thousands of used, part-used and unwanted batteries collected from the kerbside.
And council leader John Griffiths has now thrown down the gauntlet to everyone living in the borough by urging them to go one step further when St Edmundsbury launches a campaign to encourage residents to reduce their waste to zero.
Cllr Griffiths said:
"The efforts of everyone living in St Edmundsbury have brought recycling success to the borough year after year - and the battery trial is no exception. People have shown a real enthusiasm for the idea by collecting a staggering amount in a very short space of time. I'd like to thank residents for their efforts and encourage them to carry on collecting for the benefit of our environment and future generations.
"We're now inviting residents to go one step further by registering to take part in 'Zero Waste Week', which will run between 10 and 17 March. During this campaign, we'll be challenging people to reduce the amount of waste they produce as well as recycling, composting and reusing as much as possible.
"The campaign is really worthwhile and will help us all to think more carefully before buying products and before throwing things away. So look out for more details to see how you can get involved."
People can register to take part in Zero Waste Week by contacting St Edmundsbury's Waste Management team on 01284 757457 or emailing waste.management@stedsbc.gov.uk
ENDS
Note to editors: The battery recycling scheme has been funded by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and forms part of the country's biggest battery recycling trial. Results from the different trials which are being carried out across the country will help determine how best to collect batteries in the future. This comes following the introduction of the EU Batteries Directive, which requires 25 percent of all household batteries to be collected for recycling by 2012.
The scheme allows residents to recycle all types of household batteries, including AAA, AA, C, and D-size batteries as well as button, mobile phone, laptop and rechargeable batteries.
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
