 | Work together to increase battery recycling, chief exec urges
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| 04 Feb 2010
Manufacturers, retailers and consumers must work together to increase the number of waste batteries being recycled in the UK each year, the chief executive of battery compliance scheme e-Batt has urged.
The message comes as new battery legislation was brought into force in the UK.
The Battery Directive brings Britain into line with a number of other EU states that already legislate to minimise the proportion of batteries being sent to landfill. It requires all retailers that sell more than 32kg of batteries a year to provide in store take-back facilities for consumers to return their waste batteries.
Dr Philip Morton, chief executive of e-Batt, said, "The recycling targets call for stepwise increases in the proportion of batteries that need to be recycled, from the present level of 3% in 2010, to 45% by 2016.
"The figures may look steep, but they are achievable. Belgium, for example, recycles over half of its batteries. How quickly Britain can reach this level of activity remains to be seen, but it is likely to be a challenging journey.
"However, the introduction of the Battery Directive has not passed
without raising concern," Dr Morton continued. "The responsibility for meeting battery collection and recycling targets lies with battery manufacturers, but they, in turn, rely on the retailers and consumers who must deliver the results, and actually take action to recycle their waste batteries.
"This is why it is essential that all stakeholders work together and make a concerted effort to raise awareness amongst the public to ensure that battery recycling becomes second nature in British households, just as using 'bags for life' have.
"A number of organisations have shown that education campaigns can have a significant effect on recycling levels. In conjunction with REPIC, Leicester County Council, for example, increased recycling of small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by 45% following a county-wide publicity campaign to engage the public.
Dr Morton added, "An essential part of the success of meeting the government's targets and the most effective way to achieve large-scale awareness is a cohesive, consistent, nationwide communications campaign complemented by a national network of battery collection points.
"Ideally this would include retailers providing in-store take back under
the new legislation, plus a number of other high-traffic locations, such
as schools, libraries and shopping centres."
Quick facts:
* 600 million – the number of batteries used in Britain a year
* 21 – the average number of batteries used per household a year
* 30,000 tonnes – the number of waste batteries created in the UK a year
* 3% – the current level of battery recycling in the UK
* 25% – the target level of battery recycling set by the EU for 2012
* 45% – the target level of battery recycling set by the EU for 2016
* 12,000 tonnes – the amount of CO2 DEFRA estimates will be saved by 2016 if battery recycling targets are met. |
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