Durham County Council have mapped out all 186 of its electrical and vape recycling points across the region in a bid to rid the area of rubbish.
As part of its new project, the local authority has expanded small electrical and battery recycling project, including community vape recycling points.
The project launched on Monday (January 22) in the hope that residents will get behind its drive to continue to safely recycle their electricals.
186 recycling points have been expanded (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)
The council is delivering this initiative amid rising concern nationally regarding waste electricals and vapes – according to Material Focus research, five million vapes are binned and littered every week in the UK.
The expansion of the new 186 recycling points, which will be located in libraries, leisure centres and community venues, provides numerous options to locals for the recycling of small electricals and vapes – look out for the bright pink vape recycling bins.
In addition to the recycling collection expansion, repair cafes will continue their tours twice a month, in partnership with the County Durham Furniture Help Scheme, offering locals advice, tips and guidance on recycling, repairing and reusing sustainably and safely.
Take a look at our interactive map below, which notes your nearest recycling centre:
Residents will be made aware of how and where they can recycle their electrical through information on leaflets and eye-catching posters featuring HypnoCat.
The nationwide Electricals Recycling Fund aims to significantly reduce e-waste and its environmental impact by making it easier for consumers to recycle their electricals.
To find your nearest recycling point search here.
Cllr Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We are delighted to have expanded the number of small electrical recycling points in County Durham, making it easier for residents to dispose of unwanted electricals sustainably.
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“We’ve also increased the number of places people can recycle their vapes to help people dispose of them safely and responsibly.
“It isn’t safe to dispose of used vapes at home and we ask people not to put them in their bins because lithium batteries are highly flammable, explosive, and polluting. By using one of our recycling points, these items can be used as a resource to produce something new rather than being disposed of as waste.”
“We are pleased to support Durham County Council’s small electrical & vape recycling project that addresses the pressing issue of e-waste,” said Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus. “By investing in improved collection and drop-off services and exploring new recycling methods, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more sustainable future by making it easier for 10 million more people to recycle their electricals.”
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