Helping Keynsham people recycle more of our unwanted items

Keynsham people will be able to recycle even more from February 18.

Any broken or unwanted small electrical items, such as kettles or hairdryers, will be collected as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council's weekly green box recycling collection service.

These items must be able to fit in an average size plastic carrier bag and will be collected as part of the weekly green box recycling service.

Cllr David Dixon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said, "It is important that Bath & North East Somerset Council makes recycling as easy and convenient as possible for local people to help increase our recycling levels. This is why we have added this new collection.

"Last year our residents recycled 537 tonnes of small electricals by taking them to our recycling centres. But we still find lots get thrown away.

"It is a waste to throw these away because they can be recycled and made into new things using their valuable metals and plastics. For example, one clothes iron can provide enough steel to make 13 new steel cans.

"All the items we collect will be crushed, separated into their different materials and recycled to make new products. People can also donate any working electrical items in reusable condition to charity if possible."

Suitable items for recycling include kettles, blenders, calculators, cameras, chargers, digi-boxes, electronic toothbrushes, electronic toys and games, hair straighteners, hi-fi equipment, irons, power tools, shavers, telephones and torches.

NOT suitable for collection are larger items, such as TVs and PC monitors, large printers, washing machines, microwave ovens, and lawn mowers. Residents still need to take these to the Pixash Lane recycling centre in Keynsham instead. Alternatively, a collection from the council can be booked for a charge.

Neither can the council collect any item with leaking batteries or broken glass, nor fluorescent tubes and light bulbs.