FOR the first time householders across Cherwell can now recycle used batteries on their doorstep.

Over the next few weeks all homes in the district will get a special battery bag delivered with Cherwell District Council’s magazine Cherwell Link.

Batteries should be left out with the bins for collection, and once collected a new bag will be left by binmen.

Just a week after launching the scheme, the council says it has already collected 100 bags filled with batteries.

Even if people don’t have the supplied bag, they can start leaving batteries, except car batteries, with their rubbish in plastic bags.

Cherwell’s lead member for environment James Macnamara said: “Everyone has an obligation to protect the environment but we want to make that as easy as possible. With Christmas just around the corner there are sure to be thousands more batteries in use.”

The council currently collects about seven tonnes of batteries a year, through its 34 recycling sites, which brings in revenue of about £1,400 a year.