DON’T bin those batteries – that’s the green message being sent to families in Somerset this week.

The call from Somerset Waste Partnership comes on the first anniversary of legislation requiring many shops to take batteries for recycling.

As well as every Recycling Centre, scores of stores across the county now accept all household batteries for reprocessing to keep them out of costly landfill, says the partnership.

Since February 1, 2010, the EU Batteries Directive has required any shop selling more than 32kg of household batteries a year – around 350 AA four-packs – to provide a collection service.

Shops with such a service must take all household batteries, from the button cells used in hearing aids and watches to the AAAs and others used in torches and cameras.

SWP Managing Director Steve Read urged recycling or rechargeable batteries: “Batteries contain hazardous and toxic materials that can leak into the environment if not disposed of carefully.

“Some household batteries include harmful chemicals like lead, mercury, lithium, nickel or cadmium. In landfill sites, these can leak into the ground causing pollution and a risk to health.

“Yet analysis of Somerset’s rubbish bins suggests the average household is throwing away around 1.7kg of household batteries every year; a staggering annual total of 394 tonnes.

“A national survey last month found that 49% of people in the UK have never recycled a battery. Latest figures suggest around 10% of batteries are being recycled but the target is 45% by 2016.”