recovered during Marine Clean-Up Day earlier this month, the Works and Engineering Ministry has reminded the public of its battery recycling programme.

The programme has been in operation since last year and has been "quite successful,'' a Government Information Services officer said on Tuesday.

To date an estimated 4,000 batteries have been collected, shipped to a Pennsylvania-based company and recycled, the officer said.

"The public is reminded that disposal of the batteries into our waters serves only to destroy the delicate marine environment that currently exists. Hence, the public can play its part by dropping off used batteries at the Devon Springs Recycling Centre at any time.

"There are areas set aside at the facility for this purpose. Additional drop-off locations are being established for the convenience of the public and are expected to be in place by the end of the year,'' the officer said.

Related to the battery recycling programme is the collection of used motor oil.

This programme has been in operation since September and has seen approximately 100,000 gallons of used oil shipped overseas for recycling.

A large percentage of the oil comes directly from industrial operations with the balance attributed to service stations, garages and marinas.

People or businesses with significant numbers of batteries or over five gallons of used motor oil to recycle should contact the Works and Engineering Ministry's waste management section at 297-7946 to arrange for free collection of these items.