Batteries to be more environmentally friendly
New EU legislation that will make batteries more environmentally friendly and provide better recycling facilities for car and household batteries has been passed by the European parliament this week.
Half a million tonnes of batteries were shovelled into land fill sites in 2002. To reduce this waste, provision for recycling is to be improved across Europe.
The aim of this directive is to ban batteries containing high levels of certain harmful substances (mercury and cadmium) from the market and to improve recycling of batteries. The directive covers all batteries: industrial, car and portable (domestic) batteries. The rules apply to batteries produced in the EU and to imports.
The cost of recycling will be borne by the battery producer. The public must be able to dispose of the battery free of charge with no obligation to repurchase. Recycling facilities should be made widely available and accessible.
Richard Corbett, Labour MEP for Yorkshire and Humber, said:
"Today's vote is good news for the environment and the consumer. Thousands of tonnes of metals, including valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt and silver will be recycled.
"We have made sure that consumers will be able to dispose of their batteries free of charge with no obligation to repurchase.
"If we are to clean up our environment, responsibility for recycling must rest with manufacturers and consumers. Today's measures give both parties a role in reducing battery waste."
Around 800,000 tonnes of automotive batteries, 190,000 tonnes of industrial batteries and 160,000 tonnes of consumer batteries are placed on the EU market annually.
In 2002, approximately 45% of portable batteries sold in the EU went to landfill or incineration.
more information
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