WREXHAM residents are being reminded to follow the correct guidelines when disposing of any self-combustible items like batteries or gas canisters.

Wrexham Council is issuing a reminder for residents to be extra careful when disposing of these items.

Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for environment, said: “Hazardous waste items including batteries, gas cylinders, chemicals or other possible sources of heat should never be placed in your general waste. Putting these items in your bin can cause fires to break out at the recycling centres, creating dangerous situations and putting many people at risk.

“There’s also the terrible impact this has on the environment. When the toxic materials within the items get released it’s harmful to the environment and human health. Please be responsible and recycle the items, or where possible return them to the supplier you got them from.”

What should you do?

Lithium batteries are the biggest cause of fires within waste facilities. You can recycle all types of batteries at the three recycling centres in Wrexham, including car batteries.

But if it’s just everyday household batteries you’re looking to recycle, and if it’s more convenient for you, you should have the option to recycle them at a local shop too.

Since February 2010, shops that sell more than 32kg of batteries a year (approx. 345 x four-packs of AA batteries) have to provide battery recycling facilities in-store, so all the larger supermarkets and retailers provide these.

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Gas canisters are potentially hazardous and should never be put in your rubbish bin. If you have one it’s best to check with the company you bought it from as they should be able to refill or dispose of it for you.

The smaller non-refillable gas bottle canisters (used for small cooking heaters) can be recycled with plastics and cans at the kerbside only if they have no fluid or gas inside. If they do have anything left in them you will need to take them to one of the three recycling centres.

For further information about recycling in Wrexham, please visit wrexham.gov.uk/recycling