Electrical Item Recycling Banks in Leeds Initiative Reduce Landfill Waste
20 January 2012 - In a bid to decrease the 70% of kettles, toasters and similar waste that ends up as landfill each year, the city of Leeds is to introduce mobile bank-style containers to encourage people to recycle the small electrical items they no longer use.
The new scheme, named ‘WEEEBATS' (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment incorporating Battery recycling), is the result of a collaboration between Leeds City Council and the company Weeelink.
The new containers have already been installed at 11 sites across Leeds, and if the venture is a success then more of the electrical recycling banks may be added.
Mark Dobson, Executive Member for Environmental Service with Leeds City Council, commented: "Recycling is the best way to reduce the carbon footprint of Leeds and with initiatives such as these we are able to make it as easy as possible for residents to be able to recycle electronics without hassle. One of the biggest stumbling blocks for recycling is the extra work involved for people. It is my hope that more schemes like this will be introduced to Leeds if we wish to do our part for the environment."