Batteries

The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations came into force on 5 May 2009 establising a new Producer Responsibility system for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste portable, industrial and automotive batteries.

Retailers and Distributors

From 1 Feb 2010, if you sell more than 32kg year of portable batteries in your store (eg supermarket, newsagent etc), over the internet, via mail-order or directly to businesses, you will need to take back used batteries from the public free of charge.  To help you determine whether you supply 32kg or more of portable batteries per year, and for more information on your responsibilities, please follow the link: below.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/producer/batteries/calculator.htm

Consumers

Some local councils already collect batteries in the doostep recycling collection or at the local waste and recycling centres.  From 1 Feb new laws will also mean that most shops that sell batteries will have collection bins for used batteries.  Most supermarkets and many high street shops will have collection points and some town halls, libraries or schools may also set up a collection scheme.  For information on what battery collection schemes are available in your area please contact your local council.

For further information on what type of batteries you can recycle you may find the following links useful:

Directgov

Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

For more detailed information on the regulations, please see the Further Information Page