South West Regional Development Agency

Battery Recycling Campaign in Bristol (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 351.04kb). A copy of the report highlighting the findings of the campaign. 
 
The Scheme 
 
The Bristol Battery Recycling Campaign was a pilot scheme. The aim of the campaign was to investigate whether a citywide battery recycling scheme is possible in the UK, examine the ways in which this could be carried out, and the issues surrounding such an initiative.  
 
Success 
 
On the 16th September 2003 the Battery Recycling Campaign completed its pilot year. The year proved hugely successful, even though the Campaign had to overcome some major challenges. We set ourselves a target of collecting 10 tonnes of batteries (5-6% of all batteries sold in Bristol in 1 year), but by the end of the year Bristol smashed this target by collecting nearly 12 tonnes - more than the weight of a double-decker bus!  
 
This success was achieved through support from the whole of Bristol and its businesses. Activity over the year included a high profile public launch involving sustainability campaigner, Jonathon Porritt. The Recycling Consortium worked in tandem with the Council to create a fantastic education programme, and supermarkets became distribution points for the battery bags.  
 
However, none of this would have been possible if the residents of Bristol had not embraced the Campaign and shown again that they value their environment and wish to live in a Sustainable City. Thank you! 
 
What next? 
 
Although the pilot has ended, people will be able to continue recycling their batteries in Bristol for the foreseeable future. Simply continue to put your used batteries out with your other recycling for kerbside collection.