Author: Sonja Francis

RESIDENTS in Thame have been helping to lead the way in battery recycling by putting spent batteries out with their weekly rubbish.

In a matter of weeks, since the scheme began, 4,300 kg of batteries have been collected in South Oxfordshire and The Vale for recycling, preventing them from being sent to landfill. If these were laid end to end they would reach from Thame to beyond Stone!

Last month South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, along with waste and recycling contractors Biffa, organised for bright pink stickers to placed on top of residents’ green recycling bins to
inform people about the new scheme.

Batteries should now be placed on the lid of the green recycling bin in a clear bag and will be collected as part of the fortnightly ‘green bin’ recycling collection.

As a result of the promotion, both districts saw a huge increase in the number of batteries being recycled through household collection.

FACTS: Why recycle batteries?

It is very important that batteries are recycled and not put in the black rubbish bin. Batteries contain toxic and hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, sulfuric acid and cadmium. When they are thrown into the rubbish, they end up in landfills. These toxic compounds can leak into soil and water harming public health and posing environmental risks such as contaminating vegetation, polluting lakes and streams and making them unfit for drinking, swimming, fishing, and supporting wildlife.

With the dangers associated with battery disposal the need for recycling becomes ever more important. All types of household batteries including mobile phone, laptop and power tool batteries can be put through this process. There are also other benefits of recycling such as: –

● Nickel, cobalt and, silver are valuable metals, when
their re-use is possible it would enable us to save
resources.
● Recycled cadmium and nickel requires respectively
46% and 75% less energy in extraction than virgin
metals.
● Batteries are recycled into a number of new products
such as new batteries, steel industry products and
electronic manufacturing.

Cllr David Dodds, Cabinet Member for Finance, Parks and Waste at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Batteries can pose a real danger to the environment if they are simply left to decay. By putting them out for recycling residents of South Oxfordshire and the Vale are helping to remove this danger and also helping to reduce unwanted waste at the same time.”

SOURCE: Press release

TWO men are in hospital this evening following a collision on the A329 near Little Milton, earlier this evening.

It has been reported that a young man in his mid-teens received a head injury and that a man in his forties suffered a leg injury during the crash, which involved two vehicles at around 6.15pm.

Three ambulance crews attended the scene, and treated three people with minor injuries.

BETWEEN 11pm on (1/8) and 5am on (2/8) a farm building in Long Crendon Road, Thame was broken into. It is unknown how the offender/s gained entry to the farm building. Power tools, a ride on mower & an Ifor Williams silver trailer were stolen.

Between midnight on (29/7) and 12pm on (3/8) an outhouse in Onslow Drive, Thame was broken into.
Offender/s gained entry to an insecure door and stolen a lawn mower. No further details at this time.

Between 11pm on (31/7) and 8am on (1/8) a shed in Emmington, Chinnor, was broken into.
Offender/s gained entry by forcing the padlock on the door. Garden equipment & furniture were the items stolen.

Between 8pm on (1/8) and 8am on (2/8), offender/s gained entry to an insecure vehicle parked in Estover Way, Chinnor. Power tools were the items stolen.

If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, please ring the 24 hour non-emergency telephone number 101.

Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.