Currently the UK only recycles 3% of the 600 million batches we use each year. Batches have to be treated as hazardous waste, so it's ridiculous that we have been allowed to throw them into landfill for so long.

From today, first of February 2010, you will be able to recycle batteries at many more places. Any shop that sells over 1400 batteries a year will now be obliged to set up a recycling point. This means that many more locations will be available for people to recycle. This will hopefully mean that more and more people recycle batteries now it's so easy.

The scheme is obviously more work for the shopkeepers, and they have to register on the hazardous waste register. The benefits are the that batteries will not end up in landfill and this is much better for the planet.

There are concerns it might impact on the price of new batteries, however the government could face a fine if it fails to meet targets on recycling.

Keeping hazardous waste out of landfill is something so important that we should all ensure that we do everything we can to help. Recycling your dead batteries is an important step. We should also use more rechargeable batteries, as is important to reduce the amount of waste we create.