Battery recycling recharged

Kerbside collections in Mid Devon will now include batteries, despite a recent decision by Mid Devon District Council that battery recycling could not be financed. After the disappointing decision, two local companies, Viridor Waste Management and Mid
Devon Community Recycling (MDCR) joined forces to invest in the project and underwrite the council's unwelcome bill.

MDCR, who carry out the collections, expect to collect between eight and ten tonnes of batteries each year. They have had to take out a special environmental licence enabling them to store the batteries locally before sending them to be recycled.

Dan Cooke, spokesman for Viridor stressed the importance of battery recycling and pointed out his reasons for getting involved in the project:
"Batteries are classed as hazardous substance due to all the chemicals in them. We're investing in this initiative as part of our on-going commitment to best practice in waste management and to recycling in Devon".