Valpak school poster competition shows the power of art

A school poster competition in Tyneside is raising awareness of the risks caused by incorrect disposal of batteries. Around 2001 fires – almost half the waste fires in the UK – are caused by lithium-ion batteries, with a cost to local authorities and business of £158 million.

The competition, which was organised by North and South Tyneside Councils, environmental compliance specialist Valpak and sponsored by GAP Group, asked schoolchildren to design a poster that would encourage people to recycle their batteries, rather than putting them in the general waste stream. The winners’ artwork is now being displayed on the sides of three 18-tonne GAP Waste recycling collection vehicles in the north-east of England. 

Nigel Tomlinson, Commercial Manager at Valpak, said: “40,000 portable batteries were sold in the UK in 2020 and only 18,000 were recycled. Fires are caused when a battery is crushed inside the back of a recycling vehicle, for example, damaging the case. Or, if water gets inside the casing, a fire can start.  

“In recent years, councils up and down the country have seen more fires caused by batteries not being recycled properly and it is a serious issue. Valpak has the capability to help local authorities recycle batteries at kerbside and this is something we would like more councils to explore.”

Peter Moody, Managing Director of the waste electrical recycling GAP Group, agreed: “We have had two fires at GAP, both caused by batteries. The problem is growing and affecting collection vehicles as well as reprocessing plants. If we can educate the public now to recycle batteries properly and responsibly, then we will have changed the way one part of the waste stream is processed. Councils are recognising how much of a problem this is and are working with reprocessors to change behaviour.”  

Three competition winners, Anna McAlindon, Eleanor Walton and Isla Morrow, each won £100, and the competition involved over 500 pupils. The councils wanted to reach schoolchildren because it is an effective way to reach a wide group of people, and helps to bring the subject to the public’s attention. 

In response to a rising number of fires caused by batteries being placed in people’s recycling or general waste bins, North Tyneside Council and Valpak have introduced over 100 battery recycling tubes in schools, leisure centres, sheltered schemes and council buildings to make it easier for people to dispose of their batteries correctly. 

Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Environment, North Tyneside Council, said: “Raising awareness of the correct disposal of batteries is something we have actively pushed in North Tyneside over the past year. We were delighted to become involved in the battery poster competition to promote the safe recycling of batteries and the message that buying rechargeable batteries is also a positive decision to help the environment.

“Our winner in North Tyneside, Anna, produced a striking piece of artwork of which we were all really proud. Valpak and GAP Group are very supportive of the campaigns we run, and we look forward to working with them further as we continue to deliver our battery initiatives which have already driven down the number of batteries finding their way into household waste and recycling bins.”

Valpak produces free battery recycling boxes for UK businesses, local authorities and schools and these can be requested at https://batterybox.valpak.co.uk

1 https://www.eunomia.co.uk/reports-tools/cutting-lithium-ion-battery-fires-in-the-waste-industry/

(Photo of winner features Anna McAlindon)

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Editors notes

More background about Valpak and battery recycling can be found at: https://www.valpak.co.uk/compliance/batteries.

Valpak’s mission is to create a sustainable, waste-free world. We are driven, not by today. We are driven by tomorrow.

We help our clients to reduce waste and recycle more, continually innovating and using leading data science and expertise to inspire businesses, help push ourselves – and our industry – forward. We don’t just show our customers how to navigate waste regulations; we help them become more sustainable, through our ever-increasing capabilities and pioneering innovations.

Valpak is the largest environmental compliance scheme in the UK. We work with major names, such as J Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and Miele, and manage compliance for more than 4,000 businesses. In 2017, the company celebrated its 20thanniversary.

Valpak is a Reconomy Group company. Reconomy is the UK’s largest provider of outsourced resource management and recycling services. It works with customers of all sizes across industry sectors, using a technology-enabled, value-added approach to help businesses reach its sustainability goals. Following the acquisitions of Noventiz and RLG in Germany in 2020, adding further specialism in compliance and international product returns, the Reconomy Group’s aim is to become the leading global provider of services to drive the circular economy.

Valpak services include:

• Compliance under Waste Packaging, WEEE, and Battery Directives.
• Data insights.
• International compliance.
• Recycling services (total waste management options and solutions for niche materials).
• Consultancy.
• Accreditation under environmental schemes, such as Zero Waste to Landfill. 

Valpak invests in pioneering systems and expertise which enable its customers to analyse, assess and improve product design. The Product Data Hub, Insight Platform and dedicated teams work together to drive change.