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Batteries included - in new recycling plan

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (483/07) issued by The Government News Network on 19 December 2007

Increasing the level of recycling and reducing some of the 700 million batteries that go to landfill annually are at the heart of plans published tomorrow.

The proposals, which are set out in a Government consultation, look at the best way to improve the environmental performance of new batteries and ensure collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries. They apply to batteries of all shapes, volumes, weights, types and uses, and, will help the UK implement the EU's Batteries and Accumulators Directive.

Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said:
"Christmas gifts - from toys to sat navs - opened in British households next week will contain millions of batteries. Many of these will contribute to the 700 million batteries that go to UK landfill each year. This is clearly not good for the environment and that's why we've signed up to these tough, but I believe achievable, targets."

DEFRA Minister, Joan Ruddock said:

"People have a vital role to play in helping Government to ensure waste is dealt with in an effective and sustainable way. If we are to protect our environment we must reduce the amount of waste that's sent to landfill.

"By throwing household batteries in the bin not only are we contributing to what's sent to landfill, we are throwing away potential resources that could be put to good use if they were recycled. If disposed of incorrectly, even household batteries can pose an environmental risk.

"I would encourage both producers and consumers to respond to our consultation, and help us to tackle the problem of how to deal with the millions of batteries we use every year."

The proposals seek to find methods for achieving the following targets and objectives:

- Collection targets for waste household batteries of 25% of sales by 2012, rising to 45% by 2016;

- Prohibition on household batteries with high levels of cadmium (with some exceptions for emergency lighting, alarm systems, medical equipment and cordless power tools) and continued restrictions on use of mercury;

- Clearer labelling with capacity, chemical symbol and "wheelie bin" collection symbols;

- Various producer responsibilities, including a ban on disposal of industrial and automotive batteries in landfill or by incineration (in effect a 100% recycling target);

- Responsibility for producers of appliances to ensure batteries can be readily removed for easy collection, treatment and recycling; and,

- Responsibility for retailers to take back waste household batteries at no charge to consumers.

The government consultation will run from 20 December 2007 through to 12 March 2008 and seeks views from consumers, businesses and industry on how these measures should be implemented.

Notes to editors

1. The EU's Directive on Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators aims to reduce the environmental impact of portable, automotive and industrial batteries by increasing recycling and greening the supply chain that produces and distributes them. It applies to all types of batteries regardless of shape, volume, weight, material composition or use, except for military applications and space applications. Note: Accumulators are often referred to as rechargeable batteries.

2. Member States are required to transpose the Directive into national law by 26 September 2008. BERR has led policy development for Single Market provisions and leads policy relating to industrial and automotive batteries, while DEFRA leads on household batteries. Both departments have worked closely with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations and continue to do so as policy is taken forward.

3. Businesses are key players in the proposed approach. The proposed schemes require producers to support arrangements for collection, treatment and recycling, in either a centralised way, or through multiple, local compliance schemes. These schemes would undertake administration, data reporting and publicity. Most industrial and automotive batteries are already collected and recycled due to the value of the materials they contain, predominantly lead.

4. The consultation seeks views on the approach BERR, DEFRA and Devolved Administrations have developed to achieve the Directive's objectives. Government aims to ensure regulations are proportionate to producers of all sizes. Drafting of Regulations will draw on Government experience of enforcing other similarly framed environmental legislation. Once completed, a second, shorter Consultation on the draft Regulations will take place in 2008.

6. Further details are available at http://www.berr.gov.uk/innovation/sustainability/batteries/page30610.html

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