Be Part of European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR)

November 15, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council will take part in EWWR, which is taking place from 17th- 25th November.  The theme of this year’s European campaign is ‘Hazardous Waste’. 

To promote the safe recycling of batteries the Council will be running a daily Facebook competition offering residents the chance to win rechargeable batteries and a fast charger if required. Rechargeable batteries can be reused up to 1,500 times, and this significantly reduces waste and saves money for the user over their lifecycle. European Recycling Platform (ERP) is kindly providing these prizes.

Councillor Janet Gray MBE, Chair of the Council’s Environmental Services Committee, speaking about EWWR said: “Our residents are already proactive in recycling of waste and this really makes a difference! We support initiatives like EWWR to remind residents of the positive effects of recycling their waste. The support of ERP this year to raise the awareness of how to responsibly dispose of batteries; and to encourage our residents to use recyclable batteries in their radios, toys, doorbells, alarm clocks and remote controls is great.

“Batteries can be recycled at our three Household Recycling Centres or return them to retailers that have battery recycling banks. Most retailers who sell batteries will also take them back for recycling, just ask a member of staff.  It is very important that batteries are not placed in landfill bins as they contain dangerous chemicals like lead, zinc and lithium.  If placed in landfill these chemicals may leak into the ground as the batteries corrode causing soil and water pollution. Chemical contamination of soil and water can harm animals, humans and the environment.”

Each battery placed in a recycling bin is taken apart and the materials used to make something new.  The Council can offer battery recycling boxes to local schools and community groups free of charge; and these will be supplied and emptied at no cost to the organisation by ERP.

If you would like to take part in EWWR then enter our daily Facebook competition, make full use of your recycling bins, boxes, bring sites and Household Recycling Centres.  You can also contact the Council’s Waste Management team on 028 9250 9453 or email recycling@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk for tips or advice.

For more information on EWWR please see www.ewwr.eu/en