We have been made aware of some misinformation and misunderstanding circulating online regarding the recycling of small electrical items and batteries in Breckland. For clarity, please find below an update on the position – please consider using your channels to help cascade this to keep residents informed and safe and avoid service disruptions. The council will be publishing similar information direct to residents via our social media channels, which you can support by sharing those posts.
Current position
Unfortunately, due to a recent fire at the processing centre, we have had to temporarily pause the collection of small electricals and battery items as part of the weekly household waste collection service.
In the meantime, residents are being asked to hold on to these items and store them safely at home until the collection service resumes. We will issue a further update when this is the case.
Alternatively, residents can take old batteries to alternative collection points, such as those held at a number of local supermarkets
Never bin your batteries
It is essential that batteries and small electricals are never put inside main household bins as they are liable to explode and ignite other materials if crushed, which can happen when the bins are tipped into the collection trucks or at the waste plant.
We have unfortunately seen a number of incidents like this in Breckland and the wider county which you’ll appreciate pose a serious risk for our crews and residents, causes service disruption, and strains the Fire service. Therefore, we’re reminding all residents to ‘Never Bin Your Batteries’
Normal arrangements
When normal service is in operation, we ask that all small electricals, items containing batteries, and/or loose batteries are left in a separate bag on top of residents’ household bins on collection day. This enables our bin crews to collect these items for recycling but keep them separate from the main waste. We will update you when the pause on the collection service comes to an end.
Thank you for your support,
Breckland Council
