Did you know that if used batteries are thrown away in the general waste or mixed with recyclable materials like card, metals and plastics, it can be very dangerous? When general waste or recycling is collected, any batteries in the waste are likely to be squashed, compacted, punctured, shredded or soaked with liquid. If this happens, some types of battery can get extremely hot or ignite, which can result in fires that put lives at risk, disrupt services or cause millions of pounds worth of damage. 

Used batteries including mobile phone batteries, rechargeable batteries, cordless tool batteries and vehicle batteries are all accepted at Nottinghamshire’s recycling centres. Also most large supermarkets should have a battery recycling collection point to dispose of household batteries.   

Please remember that vapes also contain batteries and need to be disposed of responsibly. Used vapes can be taken back to retailers or to your local recycling centre. 

Sunday 16 June 2024 is World Refill Day and people are being encouraged to switch from single-use plastic to reusable bottles and food containers. This small change can have a big impact on the amount of plastic waste we create. 

To help you make the switch, we are offering you a chance to win a reusable bottle and cup set worth over £50.

If you have been thinking about applying for funding for the Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund you have until Friday 28 June to submit your application.  

Funding can be granted for a variety of projects and activities including in-person or online workshops, social media campaigns, practical equipment, education activities or even promotion and awareness raising. This could be anything from swap shop events, repair workshops, community gardens (that make use of reused, reclaimed, or recycled materials), food growing, food waste reduction initiatives and composting schemes. These projects could be at home, school, place of work, online or at a local event.

We’re looking for creative and innovative ideas that inspire others to think about waste in a different way.

Are you looking for a gift for dad, uncle or grandad? Please think about the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) when you shop: 

• Reduce – instead of a physical gift, what about a subscription to a local Wildlife Trust or the adoption of an endangered animal? Or you could treat them to tea and cake at a local café or a pint at their favourite pub.
• Reuse – consider a gift that can be reused again and again, such as a travel mug, water bottle, solar powered torch or radio.
• Recycle – choose something in easily recyclable packaging, like glass, paper or card rather than plastic (some chocolate and socks come in better packaging than others!)

Do you have some old ties hanging around? Why not have a go at transforming them into a lovely handmade present?

We have a free online workshop where you can learn how to transform an unwanted tie into a beautiful mobile phone case. The instructions are easy to follow and there is also a downloadable sheet to help you. 

Please remember not to put old unwanted textiles into your kerbside recycling bin. 

Tetra Pak containers, often used for juice, plant-based milks or sauces, should not be put in your kerbside recycling bin. The cartons are made from several different materials including cardboard, plastic and aluminium that have been bonded together, which means the Materials Recovery Facility in Mansfield cannot sort them and treats them as waste.

However, there are collection points (for example at supermarkets) throughout the county where these can be deposited and sent to specialist recyclers. You can also take them to your local recycling centre where there will be a marked container for them to go in. 

If you find yourself looking for a way to use up cooked potatoes, cooked vegetables such as peas, leeks, carrots, courgettes, onions or even that last piece of bacon, sausage or cheese, this recipe from Love Food Hate Waste could be just right for you. 

It is easy and quick to prepare and is a great way to avoid throwing away leftovers. 

If you are tidying up your garden for the warmer weather and have some garden waste to dispose of, please remember that all 12 of our recycling centres across Nottinghamshire are open from 8am right through until 8pm every day until Wednesday 30 September.  

The sites are busier at weekends though, so why not make the most of the longer opening hours and visit during the week?