New kerbside collections set to make recycling small electricals, batteries and vapes easier
Residents across Test Valley will soon be able to recycle small electrical items, batteries and vapes from home, following approval from cabinet on Wednesday 4 November.
The approval means there will be a new kerbside collection service, making it easier and safer for residents to recycle everyday items that are often stored in drawers, cupboards or put in the wrong bin.
Households will be able to leave small electrical items, batteries and disposable vapes out for collection in a plastic bag alongside their household waste or recycling bins. The items will then be collected separately and sent for appropriate treatment and recycling.
Batteries and vapes can cause fires if damaged or crushed during the waste disposal process. Collecting them separately at the kerbside will help improve safety for collection crews and waste management facilities, while allowing valuable materials to be recovered and recycled.
Councillor David Drew, portfolio holder for recycling and environmental services, said: "We know that many people want to do the right thing with unwanted electrical items, batteries and vapes, but they are not always easy to recycle.
"This new service will make recycling these everyday items much simpler by allowing residents to leave them out on their collection day.
"As well as giving people another convenient way to recycle, the scheme will help reduce the fire risk caused by batteries and vapes entering the waste stream and ensure more valuable materials are recovered for reuse."
The service is expected to start the week commencing January 25, 2027. The new service is being rolled out to around 55,000 properties first. Homes that use shared bins in bin stores will follow in a later phase, as we trial different solutions to make sure the service works effectively for these properties.
The service forms part of the council's wider work to improve recycling services across the borough and follows the successful introduction of weekly food waste collections.
More information can be found at www.testvalley.gov.uk/electricals.