A new six-month trial is set to make it easier for Central Fife residents to recycle batteries at home.
Starting on March 31, the initiative by Fife Council will allow residents with a four-bin kerbside service to place unwanted batteries on top of their green bin for collection.
The trial is aimed at helping people recycle batteries safely and efficiently.
Residents are encouraged to place their used batteries in a plastic bag or small container before placing them on the green bin.
The council will collect the most common household batteries, including D, C, AA, AAA, AAAA, 6v, 9v, and button batteries.
Recycling batteries is crucial as it helps recover valuable materials that can be used to create new batteries and other products.
This process conserves natural resources and reduces the environmental impact of battery production.
Additionally, recycling batteries reduces the risk of hazardous waste by preventing harmful chemicals from entering the environment.
The new initiative also aims to improve safety by preventing unnecessary fires in bin lorries and at recycling centres.
Batteries should never be placed inside bins as they can ignite during the waste compaction process.
The council's waste collection vehicles have been equipped with special compartments designed for these batteries, ensuring they are safely recycled.
Councillor Jan Wincott, spokesperson for environment and climate change at Fife Council, said: "We are very pleased to be able to start collecting household batteries from the kerbside, supporting our commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
"For those living in the central Fife trials area, Fife Council is now collecting household batteries.
"This service is an easy and convenient way to recycle used batteries.
"We are committed to improving recycling services and we continue to look at future opportunities to make it easier for people to recycle.
"Many of us have a container of spent batteries in our home that we don't know what to do with.
"If you live in the trials area, you can now simply put these out on top of your green bin."
Residents can check if they are included in the trial by visiting the council's website.
Residents should only put out the specified household batteries, as the bag or container will not be emptied if it contains other types of batteries.
Car and moped batteries, as well as lithium-ion power tool batteries, should continue to be taken to a recycling centre.
Vapes should be returned to the shop they were bought from.
Residents living in communal properties, those without a brown bin, or those outside the trial area can continue to recycle batteries by taking them to local recycling centres, shops, or supermarkets.
Many charities also accept battery donations.
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