We want to remind residents that batteries and electrical items which are put in general waste can cause fires to break out in bin wagons or at the recycling centres. This is very dangerous and puts many people at risk.
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Environment, said: “If you throw or hide batteries in your bins, they can get crushed or punctured in our bin wagons which can start serious and dangerous fires. Any batteries which aren’t damaged in the wagons can potentially cause fires later on at the recycling centres.
“The message is clear – don’t let your battery cause the next fire. Please recycle your used batteries and electrical items correctly and responsibly which will help to keep everyone safe.”
Anything with a plug, battery or cable which isn’t recycled correctly carries a risk to people and buildings, so make sure you never put these items in the bin.
How to recycle batteries
Lithium batteries are the biggest causes of fires within waste facilities. You can recycle all types of batteries at the three recycling centres in Wrexham – even car batteries!
But if it’s just your everyday household batteries you’re looking to recycle, and if it’s more convenient for you, you should have the option to recycle them at a local shop too.
That’s because since February 2010, shops who sell more than 32kg of batteries a year (approx. 345 x four-packs of AA batteries) have to provide battery recycling facilities in-store…so all the larger supermarkets and retailers provide these.
Take a look at Recycle Your Electricals’ recycling locator to find out which of your local shops will recycle your used batteries.
How to recycle vapes
Do you use vapes? If you do, it’s really important you make yourself familiar how to correctly and safely dispose of them.
Vapes can be accepted as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and can be disposed of in the Small Domestic Appliances (SDA) container at all of the household recycling centres in Wrexham.
A number of shops and supermarkets that sell vapes will also let you return them and recycle them for you. Take a look at Recycle Your Electricals’ recycling locator and type in ‘vapes’ to see where you can dispose of them.
Recycle electrical items at your local recycling centre
The three recycling centres in Wrexham all have banks specifically for electrical items.
If you have electricals in good working order you can donate them to the Nightingale House Hospice re-use shop. You can donate to the re-use shop at any of the three recycling centres; just speak to one of the attendants who will show you where you can leave your donated items.
Take a look at our website to see the list of things that can be recycled at the recycling centres.
