A campaign to recycle batteries is gaining momentum across Cumbria.
Each year, around 3.2 million batteries are thrown away in the county and Renewi launched a campaign in March to help people and schools recycle them instead.
The Baa-ttery campaign – so called because the number of batteries thrown away are equivalent to the weight of more than 3,650 Herdwick sheep – has seen dozens of schools take part.
Renewi UK Services Limited has partnered with Valpak Limited to supply free battery collection boxes to every primary school in Cumbria.
The “baa-ttery boxes” make it easy for students to bring in their used batteries for safe recycling. Once a box is full, schools can simply call the number on the box for a free collection and a replacement box.
Now to help the message spread further, waste management company Renewi has launched a competition with six prizes up for grabs, including two £300 book tokens, two £200 book tokens, and two £100 book tokens, donated by Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils.
Schools in both council areas will compete for the top three spots, with the deadline to collect the most batteries set for Christmas.
Hayley Slack, community education liaison officer at Renewi, said: “The response has been incredible, with children across Cumbria actively participating in recycling efforts. It’s amazing to see how passionate they are about protecting the environment.”
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for climate, biodiversity and environmental services, added: “As a council, we are committed to reducing waste and protecting our environment. A staggering amount of batteries are thrown away each year and this battery recycling campaign encourages a simple yet powerful step everyone can take to help make a difference. From households to schools, we all have a role to play in keeping batteries out of our bins and waste treatment facilities.”
Batteries are found in countless household items, from toys and phones to electronic devices and vapes. Renewi, which operates two mechanical biological treatment facilities in partnership with local councils, processes over 110,000 tonnes of residual household waste each year—serving 225,000 households across Cumbria.
By diverting waste from landfills, the company helps convert material into energy however, battery-related fires remain a growing concern.
Nick Blake, contract director at Renewi, said: “We’ve seen a troubling increase in fires at our MBT facilities due to batteries being disposed of in household bins.
“Lithium batteries, especially in disposable vapes, pose a particular danger, causing explosive reactions during the waste treatment process and putting our teams and facilities at risk.”
To find out more about the Baa-ttery campaign at https://www.recycle-more.co.uk/recycling-resources-for-kids/baa-ttery-campaign
