BRITAIN'S first ever large-scale battery recycling scheme began this week, aimed at bringing environmental benefits to the people of Chorley.

County council chiefs officially launched the recovery scheme for small batteries at Farrington household waste recycling centre, Leyland, on Tuesday.

The scheme, which will provide collection bins for the kind of batteries found in TV remote controls, personal stereos and mobile phones, is a direct result of a partnership between Lancashire County Council, G+P Batteries, Booths Supermarkets and Lancashire Waste Services.

The council-designed collection bins can be found at household waste recycling centres -- including Chorley's at Lower Burgh -- and larger Booths supermarkets across Lancashire.

Once full, the bins will be emptied for recycling or specialist disposal. Chorley County Councillor Richard Toon, chairman of Lancashire's waste strategy steering group, said: "Nobody in the UK has had any experience in collecting and recycling batteries on a large scale, so I am delighted that Lancashire is leading the way with this work.

"Batteries which contain poisonous metals, such as cadmium and mercury, usually end up in landfill sites. I hope that other local authorities will look to Lancashire's example and set up their own collection schemes."

Greg Clementson, of G+P Batteries, added: "The information that we receive from this scheme will be crucial in helping to develop new techniques so that we can maximise the recycling rate and therefore the environmental benefits."

Michael Lough, from Booths Supermarkets, continued: "Booths are delighted to be playing a part in this pioneering scheme.

"Our customers already bring a wide range of recyclable materials to our stores to recycle and this is another way in which we can be positive about the environment."

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