Battery Recycling

Did you know that around 600 million UK household batteries (that's 22,000 tonnes) - the equivalent weight of 110 Jumbo Jets or 4400 African elephants - are sent to landfill unnecessarily every year?  

The average household uses 21 batteries a year, all of which could be recycled! But only between 3 and 5 % are in fact recycled.  

89% of batteries are for general use and can be found in every room in the house! (Source WRAP- Battery facts and figures)

The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations, which came into force on 5th May 2009, establishes a new Producer Responsibility system for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste portable, industrial and automotive batteries. The ultimate aim is to significantly increase battery recycling rates. 

Under the Regulations, from 1st February 2010 distributors and retailers who supply 32kg or more of portable batteries per year must accept back waste portable batteries for recycling free of charge. Part of this initiative means that recycling facilities have been provided for residents at local retailers and facilities such as Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Small distributors and retailers, i.e. those supplying less than 32kg per year, do not have to provide a take-back facility.