SCHOOLS in the Sidmouth and Ottery areas have been urged to join a campaign to boost battery recycling.

SCHOOLS in the Sidmouth and Ottery areas have been urged to join a campaign to boost battery recycling.

Devon County Council (DCC) this week launched its Recycle Now initiative and will hand schools that sign up free recycling packs, with a free battery collection taking place each term.

The pack makes it easy for pupils, staff and parents to get involved in saving thousands of tons of waste batteries from landfill, and contains collection boxes, posters, and charts.

An on-line register will monitor each separate classroom’s collection efforts.

Every school that registers will be automatically entered into a competition with the first five to collect 21 spent batteries per pupil landing a set of books about waste and recycling.

DCC has urged families to save household waste batteries and give them to participating schools for the contest. Last year, just three per cent of household batteries purchased in the UK were recycled. Contact DCC on (01392) 383121 for more information.