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Battery Recycling
The Batteries Directive came into force in 26th September 2008. It replaces the original Batteries Directive which was first adopted in 1991.
The new Directive has two parts:
Part 1, The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 defines requirements for placing batteries and accumulators on the EU market on or after 26th September 2008.
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Key requirements of part 1 include:
- Material prohibitions: restriction on the use of mercury and cadmium in batteries within the overall scope of the legislation
- Labelling to aid recycling: use of the crossed out wheeled bin symbol and markings to show where batteries contain acceptable levels of mercury, cadmium or lead, along with the appropriate chemical symbol
- Placing on the market: batteries that do not meet the requirements of the Regulations should be prohibited from sale, or withdrawn from the market
- Removal of batteries: manufacturer requirements that certain appliances be designed in such a way that waste batteries can be readily removed
Part 2, The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, covers the remaining provisions relating to collection, treatment & recycling of waste industrial, automotive and portable batteries and accumulators.
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Key requirements of part 2 include:
- Battery producers: must register with a scheme in order to aid the U.K. in meeting European battery targets. All portable battery importers or manufacturers must register and batteries supplied within equipment are included.
- Battery distributors: from the 1st February 2010 are obliged to assist in the collection and recovery of batteries, if placing more than 32kg per year of portable batteries on the market.
- Businesses and consumers: there are no obligations on end-users of batteries as a result of the legislation, however both businesses and consumers are encouraged to recycle whenever possible.
