From 1 February 2010, distributors of portable batteries/accumulators who sell over 32kg of portable batteries per year in an individual shop must provide a free in-shop battery take-back facility for any member of the public who has batteries to dispose of.

Rather than simply disposing of your battery or electrical items with your household waste and thus commiting it to landfill, you should save it and recycle it when you next have the opportunity. There are plenty of places where you can recycle batteries or electrical items without taking time out of your normal routine. For example, you can use one of the following:

• -- The recycling service at your local waste disposal.
• -- Your local council battery or electrical items collection service (if available).
• -- Drop the batteries or electrical items into the collection points located in most supermarkets.
• -- Drop them into our recycling box on our trade counter.

We operate a battery take-back scheme. If you would like us to recycle your batteries, please return them to our business premises in person during normal office hours. Please do not post them to us (you will be responsible for the cost). In addition, DEFRA advises against sending waste batteries in the post.

WEEE

Since July 2007 the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations have applied. The regulations were introduced to reduce the amount of untreated waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) going to landfill and to ensure that equipment collected separately is dealt with properly.

Under the terms of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations, when replacing any item of electrical equipment that you wish to recycle, please return it to our business premises in person during normal office hours. As distributors, under these terms there is no obligation to take back WEEE not sold for household use.

Benefits of Recycling

Recycling unwanted electrical products is better for the environment. Lead and other toxins contained in electrical goods can cause soil and water contamination. This can have a very harmful effect on the natural habitat, wildlife and also human health. When situated near populated areas these toxins can cause problems to communities as their water and soil is polluted.

Many of the electrical items that we throw away can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps to save natural resources and also reduces the environmental and health risks associated with sending waste electrical goods to landfill.