July 2025 news

Across the UK, 3,000 batteries are binned every minute. From electric toothbrushes to mobile phones, batteries are hidden inside so many electrical devices. It’s easy to think something so small won’t matter, however, many of us may not realise the big impact that throwing away batteries can have.

Did you know that binning small electricals and batteries can:

• start fires - binned batteries and small electricals can get crushed or damaged in collection vehicles and at waste centres, which can spark fires. These fires can take days to put out and unnecessarily put a strain on the fire services resources. These fires also cause a risk to collection crews and staff at our recycling and waste plants
• cost valuable resources - batteries and small electricals are full of some of the most valuable materials on the planet, that can be infinitely recycled. But if they are binned, these materials are lost forever
• cause air pollution spikes - Material Focus latest research, in partnership with Imperial College London, found that recent battery-related fires caused significant increases in air pollution. This is not only a serious environmental concern but a health concern too

For all kinds of batteries and small electrical devices, you should check for kerbside collections in your area, or book yourself a slot at your local Recycling Centre.

As long as it’s safe and easy to do so, remove batteries from any toys and appliances before recycling them both!

Watch our video below for more information on safe battery disposal in West Sussex.

This #PlasticFreeJuly, we’ve asked our team to share their top tips for reducing plastic waste at home.

Over the next month, on our socials, we’ll be going room by room to highlight simple, sustainable swaps that help keep plastic waste to a minimum. From bringing a reusable water bottle to using a soap bar instead of a plastic pump.

Follow us to stay up to date:

• Facebook
• X (Twitter)
• Instagram

If you do use plastic, remember to recycle what you can at home or via your local Recycling Centre. Many supermarkets also now have collection points for plastic bags and wrapping.

Find your nearest participating supermarket.

If you are keen to get started, check out our blog post for more information.

We have joined forces with Community RePaint, (sponsored by Dulux) to offer opportunities for donating and/or collecting unwanted paint.

Residents can donate paint for reuse as long as it is in good condition (for example, it has not dried up) and the container at the centre has capacity to accept it.

Residents are also allowed to take up to 3 tins of paint for free, from the reuse station. This needs to be declared on the document provided in the paint container. The limit is in place to ensure fair distribution to all residents.

All of our Recycling Centres offer paint reuse!

Find out more on our website.

In October 2022 we launched a 6-month pilot project to encourage people to take advantage of surplus food rescue services by incorporating food waste prevention education sessions. These work to reduce the amount of edible food that ends up in people’s household general waste bins.

Since the full programme was launched in April 2023 the UKHarvest food waste minimisation project has prevented over 94 tonnes of food from going to waste! Due to its success the programme is now being extended for a third year, running until April 2026.

Each district and borough hosts a UKHarvest Community Food Hub once a month where, for a suggested small donation, people are able to pick up a wide selection of surplus foods which would have otherwise ended up as waste from suppliers.

For a full list of locations and dates, visit our website.

Throughout West Sussex, we are proud to work alongside a team of passionate recycling and waste prevention volunteers. They attend public and private events to promote waste prevention, reuse, and recycling and are eager to answer questions about the county's recycling services and waste reduction initiatives.

In addition to the public events listed below, we are participating in numerous privately hosted talks and events for local community groups, schools and other organisations. If you would like our team to give a talk, visit your school, attend an event, or if you would like more information, contact us at waste.prevention@westsussex.gov.uk.

We also support our partners at the district and borough councils with community outreach in selected areas, engaging residents on both recycling and waste prevention topics.

July and August 2025 events

• Saturday 5 July (12 noon to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Cowfest, Cowfold Village Green, 48 Acorn Avenue, Cowfold, RH13 8RT
• Saturday 5 July (2pm to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Aldwick Green, PO21 3SR
• Sunday 6 July (12 noon to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Horsham Rotary Fun Day, Horsham Park, Horsham, RH12 2DW
• Saturday 12 July (10am to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Rustington Summer Arts Event, Rustington Methodist Church, Claigmor Road, Rustington, BN16 2NL
• Saturday 12 July (12 noon to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Balcombe Fete, Stockcroft Road, Balcombe, RH17 6HP
• Saturday 19 July (10am to 12 noon) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Lancing Repair Café, 11 Station Parade, Lancing, BN15 8AA
• Saturday 19 July (10am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Worthing Fire Station Open Day, Worthing Fire Station, Ardsheal Road, Broadwater, BN14 7RN
• Sunday 20 July (2pm to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Ashenground Open Afternoon, Ashenground Community Centre, Southdown Close, Haywards Heath, RH16 4JR
• Saturday 26 July (10am to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Worthing Lions Summer Festival, Worthing Seafront, Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3QA
• Sunday 27 July (10am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Worthing Lions Summer Festival, Worthing Seafront, Marine Parade, Worthing BN11 3QA
• Friday 2 August (9am to 2pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Midhurst Market, The Old Library, Knockhundred Row, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DQ
• Saturday 2 August (11am to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at St Peter’s Church Summer Fete, St Peter’s Church, Westhampnett, PO18 0NT
• Tuesday 5 August (1pm to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at MSDC Playdays, Court Bushes Community Hub, Willow Way, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, BN6 9TH
• Saturday 9 August (11am to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at East Grinstead Fire Station Open Day, East Grinstead Rugby Club, The Gearon Pavilion, Saint Hill Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4JU
• Saturday 9 August (9am to 5pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Camelia Botnar Garden Centre, Littleworth Lane, Horsham, RH13 8NA
• Sunday 10 August (10am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Camelia Botnar Garden Centre, Littleworth Lane, Horsham, RH13 8NA
• Sunday 10 August (11am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at The Cat & Rabbit Rescue Centre Open Day, Holborow Lodge, Chalder Lane, Sidlesham, Chichester, PO20 7RJ
• Tuesday 12 August (1pm to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at MSDC Playdays, Adastra Park, 1 Orchard Lane, Keymer, Hassocks, BN6 8BT
• Saturday 16 August (1pm to 6pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Ashington Festival, Ashington Recreation Ground, Church Lane, Ashington, RH20 3JX
• Saturday 16 August (time TBC) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Singleton Fete, Singleton Cricket Club, Sheepwash Meadow, Singleton, Chichester, PO18 0HA
• Tuesday 19 August (1pm to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at MSDC Playdays, 3 Janes Lane, Burgess Hill, RH15 0QJ
• Tuesday 19 August (10.30am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Workshop at 100 Years of West Sussex Libraries Celebration Day, Bognor Library, 69 London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DE
• Saturday 23 August (10am to 2.30pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Sun Gazing Family Event (ticketed), Pagham Nature Reserve, PO20 7NE
• Sunday 24 August (10am to 4pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at Emergency Services and Community Day, Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6AP
• Wednesday 27 August (1pm to 3pm) - Waste Prevention Information Stand at MSDC Playdays, The Haven Centre, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, Crawley, RH10 4LJ