Small household batteries and vapes will be collected as part of Stroud District Council's waste collection service from next week (May 6).

Householders will now be able to recycle up to 10 batteries and five vapes or e-cigarettes every week, alongside their food waste collection.

Batteries and vapes must be in separate clear plastic bags, such as used sandwich bags. Residents should fold over the tops or loosely fold the handles to ensure the contents remain dry.

On scheduled food waste collection days, they should put the bags on top of their food waste bin. It's important not to tie the bags to bins. Using clear bags helps the collection staff see the contents easily.

Accepted batteries include small common household single-use and rechargeable types like AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, button and lithium-ion batteries up to the size of a D battery. For safety, terminals of button cell and lithium-ion batteries should be taped to prevent the risk of fire.

Both single-use and reusable vapes, including e-cigarettes, can be collected. There is no need to remove the batteries from inside the vapes.

In case of very windy or hot weather, which might cause the bags to be blown away or affected by the heat, residents are advised to wait until their next collection day to put batteries and vapes out for collection.

The council cannot collect batteries or vapes from properties with shared or communal bins. People living at properties with shared bins should use a supermarket or store collection point or check the Waste Wizard to find out where to dispose of them.

Due to limited storage space in the waste collection vehicles, there may be times when crews are unable to take batteries or vapes if the vehicles reach capacity. If this happens, residents should take the items back inside and put them out the following week.

Batteries and vapes should never be placed in general household waste or recycling bins or bags, as the collection vehicle may crush them, which has been known to cause vehicle fires.

The new collection method doesn't involve crushing the batteries.