PEOPLE in Oxford will soon be able to recycle batteries from their own homes.

The city council launches a new recycling scheme on Monday, which means all household batteries can be taken away with the normal recycling collection.

Oxfordshire Waste Partnership chairman David Dodds said: “We’re always looking to improve on our successful recycling schemes by collecting more materials, and batteries are the latest item on our list.

“People can put their old batteries in any clear plastic bag such as a sandwich bag and leave them on the top of their bin or box on any collection day, there’s no fixed schedule.”

South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White Horse, Cherwell and West Oxfordshire district councils already include batteries in their recycling schemes.

The councils work with Valpak, a company which covers the collection costs through payments from battery manufacturers.

The batteries are recycled into their component parts and used in the steel industry or to make new batteries.

City council recycling officer Emily Martin said: “ Any clear plastic bag can be used to place the batteries on top of the green or blue wheeled bins each week.”