School pupils in Powys could win vouchers for their school if they can recycle as many batteries as they can.

Powys County Council is running a free battery recycling competition and is urging schools to sign up to be in with a chance of winning vouchers.

The school which collects the most batteries per pupil could win a share of £500 worth of Amazon vouchers. The competition is being sponsored by the European Recycling Platform, the council’s compliance scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries.

Schools who sign up will be provided with a free battery box and will compete over the autumn term to collect as many domestic batteries as possible. This includes the standard AA and AAA nickel cadmium batteries, button cell batteries, power packs from tools and mobile phone and laptop batteries.

Councillor Phyl Davies, the council’s Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “This is a fantastic competition I would urge every school in the county to take part.

“Batteries are made from recyclable metals including lead, cadmium, zinc, lithium and mercury. Each battery collected by a school can be re-melted and used to make new batteries rather than going to landfill where they could cause soil and water pollution.

“By taking part, schools could win vouchers and they will also help the county meet recycling targets, cut landfill and carbon emissions and inspire the next generation to recycle more.”

Teachers, governors and parents are being encouraged to sign up their local school. To get involved, contact the council’s Waste and Recycling Team by emailing [email protected]