The answer is a 'no-brainer':   all household batteries should be put out for recycling.  The alternative is not appealing, because when a battery is buried with general household rubbish the outer casing will eventually fail.  The contents leak out into the surrounding soil and water to contaminate the environment with chemicals and metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, silver, nickel and mercury.  If the rubbish goes to an incinerator these heavy metals can cause air pollution.  None of this is good for wildlife nor for the human population which could be directly affected.

On the other hand, the batteries recycled are sent to specialist centres where the valuable metals are recovered and re-used. Energy is also saved as recycling in this way reduces the need for new, raw materials.

You may think that you don't use many batteries, but many items at home are battery powered.  This list names a few - you might have others in your home:

  -  TV remote controls

-  mobile phones

-  laptops / tablets

-  watches

-  cameras

-  radios

-  children's toys and games

-  torches

-  portable powertools for diy and the garden

-  kitchen gadgets

-  electric toothbrushes and shavers

-   hearing aids (these batteries can also be recycled at doctors' surgeries and hospitals)

All types of household batteries, both disposable and rechargeable are recyclable, including:  AAA, AA, C and D sizes;  button batteries;  mobile phone batteries;  laptop batteries.

Car batteries are slightly different as they are treated as 'hazardous waste'.  This means that, although they can be recycled, they cannot be collected in household, kerbside collections. They can be taken to the Punchbowl or Ashley Recycling Centre (or some garages / auto retailers will buy back used car batteries from you).

As an alternative to kerbside recycling look out for the battery recycling bins at supermarkets or other shops which sells batteries - or take them directly to the nearest recycling centre.

For some batteries, you can support your favourite charity's recycling appeal by sending in, for example, your mobile phone, iPod or digital camera, including its battery (usually via a Freepost envelope supplied by the charity).

You can also reduce the number of batteries you use by choosing rechargeable batteries wherever possible as an alternative to disposable ones;  using solar powered rechargers if available;  and using alternative power sources such as a wind-up radio or torch, or a solar powered calculator.

Please help our environment and choose to recycle when throwing away worn out batteries.  

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